For the interior, ABT's tuning program includes a series of accessories ranging from the decorative inserts made of carbon-fiber to a full leather trim. The more important news is under the hood as ABT's "power-kits' boost the 2.0 TDI diesel's output from 140 to 170HP, the 3.0 TDI diesel's from 240 to 310HP and the 2.0 TSI gasoline engine from 211 to 240HP with a 275HP version following in the next few months. The engine upgrades can be complemented by a sport brake system with 380mm disc and a sport suspension that brings the SUV closer to the ground.
The self-proclaimed world's largest tuner of VW Group vehicles, ABT Sportsline, has published new photos of its modified Audi Q5. The German firm offers various performance packages for the compact SUV with power and style treatments across the range of trims. On the outside, ABT's bodykit that includes front and rear aprons, rocker panels, new grille, a relatively large roof spoiler plus various alloy wheels (up to 22-inches in diameter) work to create an aggressive look for the German SUV.
New photos of its modified Audi Q5 SUV
Novitec to introduce Supercharged Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider
You would think that tuners wouldn't bother wasting their time with an extremely limited production model like the commemorative Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider 16M which will be built in a mere 499 examples. Well, think again. As these leaked photo reveal, Novitec Rosso is getting ready to introduce a souped-up version of the Scuderia Spider 16M.
Though no official details have been released yet, word has it the Novitec Rosso has fitted a pair of twin superchargers to the Scuderia's V8 boosting output from 510HP to close to 700HP. Luckily, the German tuning house has limited the exterior changes to a set of black and yellow alloy wheels and the firm's trademark blacked out tail lights.
Via: Worldcarfans
2011 Tesla Model S All Electric Sports Sedan Photos
Tesla's new proposal is set to arrive on the market in late 2011 with an anticipated base price of $57,400 or $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. We'll have more info and photos of the Model S latter on in the day. Via: Jalopnik
The first official photographs of Tesla's highly anticipated Model S have been prematurely leaked into the internet ahead of the all-electric sports sedan's official debut which is scheduled for this afternoon in Los Angeles. And yes, the first thing that came up to our mind is that the Model S's rear-end and profile bear a 'chilling resemblance to the new Jaguar XF.
F-CELL Roadster Concept of Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster is a new concept study created by more than 150 trainees and dual education system students who worked on the project for about a year. The most eye-catching element of the study is without doubt, its large spoked wheels that supposedly pay homage to the 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car. We think that they look totally out of place, but we're neither trainees or design students, so don't take our word for it.
The F-CELL Roadster incorporates an array of stylistic features from various eras of automotive history, such as the carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and the fiberglass front section based on the component from the Formula One racing bolides.
The two-seater is powered by an emission-free fuel cell system located at the rear that develops an output of 1.2 kW allowing the lightweight concept to reach a top speed of 25 km/h or 16mph with an operating range of up to 350 km or 218 miles. The concept is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick takes the place of the conventional steering wheel.
"This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training," said Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig. "I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project."
Citroen's new special edition C4 Coupe "by Loeb"
Most of our readers are savvy enough to know that looks -even when accompanied by a brassy moniker- can be deceiving. Such is the case with Citroen's new special edition C4 Coupe "by Loeb", named after the French firm's highly successful WRC rally driver, Sebastien Loeb. Citroen has left the 3-door hatchback's mechanical gear intact preferring to concentrate on the car's looks and equipment list. Available in either Sport Red or Black, the Citroen C4 Coupe "by Loeb" is offered with a choice of two 1.6-liter gasoline engines delivering 120HP (naturally aspirated) and 150HP (turbocharged), and a 1.6-liter turbo diesel with 110HP. Somewhat inspired by the C4 WRC, the special edition model features Sébastien Loeb's signature on the doors, a unique 'by Loeb' sticker on the tailgate and door mirrors finished in either red, or black with aluminium-effect. Completing the car's style are a roof spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels in either white or black depending on the body color. Inside, Citroen equipped the hatchback with steel decor around the central air vents and aluminum finishes on both the pedals and gear knob. The leather steering wheel and gear lever are complemented by red stitching and the sports seats are finished in black and red '3D X-ray' mesh cloth. There are also floor mats with red surrounds detailed with a unique 'by Loeb' design. Furthermore, each limited edition will be tagged with a unique serial number plaque mounted in the cabin. Prices in the UK are set at £14,395 OTR for the 1.6 16V VTi 120hp, £15,395 OTR for the 1.6i 16V THP 150hp and £15,895 OTR for the 1.6HDi 16V 110hp.
Audi TT Roadster with 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 160HP
Let's face it; a substantial number of buyers in the roadster segment are more concerned about their car's looks (and how they look inside it...) than anything else - performance included. That said, Audi's move to downsize and offer a new 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 160HP on the TT Roadster makes total sense. Priced at £23,910 OTR, and due with its first UK customers in April, the new entry-level TT slots into the range just below the existing 2.0 TFSI model costing £27,355. The turbocharged and directly injected 1.8-litre TFSI unit is linked to a six-speed manual transmission launching the TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI to 62mph (100km/h) in 7.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph or 224km/h with a combined fuel consumption figure of 40.9mpg UK (6.9 lt/100km or 34.0mpg US), equating to CO3 output of 159g/km.
Mercedes-Benz expected to expand Alabama plant
Daimler is upping its investment in the state of Michigan, coming to terms with the city of Ann Arbor to build a new hybrid and electric R&D facility. Now, Automotive News is reporting that the automaker is expected to actually expand its Vance, Alabama production plant.
If the rumors are true, the Mercedes-Benz plant (which currently builds GL, M, and R class vehicles) will benefit from a $290 million investment that is to begin within 60 days. The news evidently leaked out after company officials contacted the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority about property and sales tax breaks (which it apparently received).
The expansion news comes at an odd time, as not only has the automaker's sales been flagging in the U.S. (down 20 percent in February year-over-year, admittedly much better than the market plunge of 41.4 percent), but sales of Vance-built SUVs in particular have fallen off, with Benz responding by reducing the plant's workforce.
Automotive News says the expansion effort won't be completed until 2011, but word yet on how much capacity this will give the plant (and what it will be used for) is not yet known.
British Tuner Creates Bespoke Lamborghini Murcielagos
Very few people in this world can actually afford buying a Lamborghini Murcielago, and even less will feel the need to drastically alter the looks of the raging bull's appearance. But in the extremely rare case that you belong to one of those finger-pointed Murcielago owners that want a more individual design for their Italian supercar, UK-based tuner Prindiville Prestige specializes in creating one-off, bespoke cars to an individual client's precise specifications.
The company claims that all you have to do is show them a sketch or give them an idea of what you want and they'll do it. Anything is possible, from a handcrafted bodywork to an interior retrimmed in ostrich hide - though we'd advise you to keep such an idea to yourself...
One of Prindiville Prestige's latest Murcielago creations is the one pictured here. From the original Lamborghini, the Brits supports that only the front compartment lid remains the same as even the roof panel has been changed.
The Murcielago gets a new bodywork with all panels made from carbonfire, different alloy wheels, a restyled engine bay cover with transparent cooling louvres plus a bespoke interior with hand-finished aluminum accents and leather trim.
Via: Le Blog Auto
Hummer Launches H2 Limited Dark Chrome Edition
Several months after its introduction in the States, GM has introduced the Hummer H2 Limited Black Chrome Edition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The new special edition H2 that will be available to 1,300 customers globally features an array of black chrome details including the 20-inch alloys, front grille, hood latches and handles, fuel filler door, door handles, mirror caps, "H2" badges, side air vents and spare tire cover. The Limited Dark Chrome Edition H2 is available on both SUV and SUT models with buyers offered the choice of three exterior colors including the new-for-2009 Silver Ice Metallic and the existing Sedona Metallic and Carbon Black Metallic. Inside the special edition model gets new seats and a leather trim along with additional comfort and convenience features. Power is provided from GM's 'small-block' 6.2-litre V8 engine producing 441 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 454 Nm of torque at 4400 rpm.
Officially reveal of 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 'upskirt' photo of the sport sedan
While Mercedes-Benz has yet to officially reveal the new E63 AMG, German car magazine Sport Auto took the liberty to publish an 'upskirt' photo of the sport sedan as a teaser for its new competition that will see one lucky reader winning the car. As Mercedes has already informed us, the new E63 AMG that could be unveiled as soon as next month's New York International Auto Show will be powered a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 producing a hefty 525-horspower.
The teaser photo gives us a glimpse of the E63 AMG's front end that gets a new fascia with a more aggressively styled bumper as well as of the newly designen five-spoke alloy wheels.
Audi R8 with 530HP Supercharged V8 Tuned by Wheelsandmore
Another €5,500 will get you a carbon-fiber front lip spoiler and a carbon-fiber rear diffuser while Wheelsandmore also offers two different sets of 20-inch alloys wheels wrapped in Dunlop Sport Maxx rubber for €9,250 and €9,800. For the record, all prices include 19% German tax and installation. And since we're pretty sure that you like doing your math, the base price of an R8 V8 FSI in Germany is €109,100 while its V10 FSI counterpart costs €142,400...
Can't wait for the 525HP Audi R8 5.2FSI V10? Then you might be interested in Wheelsandmore's new performance package for the R8 4.2-liter V8. The German tuner offers an ECU kit for €1,700 that gives the V8 an extra 30HP for a total output of 450HP. If you're willing to depart with €32,500 -or roughly the equivalent of a new TT Coupe in Germany- Wheelsandmore will add a kompressor boosting output to 530HP. Since we don't have an issue with cash, €13,998 will get you a set of 8-piston front and 6-piston rear brakes with high-performance pads.
Still have more money available? No problemo, €4,800 will give your R8 a handmade rear silencer with a valve system (optionally remote controlled add €900), €900 will buy you new springs, €3,999 an aluminum full race suspension and €8,949 a hydraulic lift full-race suspension that allows the lifting of the front and rear axle by 30mm.
B&B Tunes the new VW Tiguan Photo Galllery
There seems to be no shortage of tuning proposals for Volkswagen models of all sorts these days. One of the latests offerings comes from German tuning house B&B that has presented an extensive tuning programme for Volkswagen's compact SUV, the Tiguan. Starting with the engine kits, B&B offers various tuning stages for all gasoline and diesel units.
Specifically, the base gasoline 1.4 TSI 150HP can be upgraded to deliver 190, 200 or 220HP, the 2.0 TFSI 170HP to produce 220, 240, 280 or 300HP and the 2.0 TFSI 200HP, 240, 250, 286 and 300HP. As for the diesel range, the 2.0 TDI 140HP can be modified to develop 174 or 200HP and the 2.0 TDI 170HP, 200 or 220HP.
The engine mods can be accompanied by a sport suspension kit that lowers the ride height as well as a full bodykit and various alloy wheel designs available in sizes 18'', 19'' or 20''.
BMW Z4M Roadster Cancelled ???
If we are to believe a report from UK digital car magazine i-Motor, BMW has cancelled the development of an "M" version for the new Z4 roadster with the retractable hardtop because of the "ongoing financial crisis" and "lack of customer demand". Here's what the BMW spokesman -whose name was not disclosed- revealed to the British magazine: "Given the current economic crisis there is no business case for a full-on M version of the Z4".
If that's the case, then how can one explain the introduction of the X5M and X6M crossovers that are due to be unveiled this April?
Well, according to the unnamed spokesperson, the M-prepped variants of both the X5 and X6 were already under development and had been given the green light from the company's officials before the car market crashed down.
While we'll have to wait for some sort of official announcement from BMW to see whether or not the car has been truly canned, we must say that even though the X5 and X6M's development (may have) proceeded that of the Z4Ms, we fail to see the logic behind a decision that prefers two (totally unnecessary) M crossovers over an M roadster model, especially since the X5 and X6 are already offered with a mighty 408HP twin-turbo V8 engine.
2010 Mazda CX-9 Facelift Coming to NY Show along with new CX-7 and MazdaSpeed3
It's going to be all about 'smileys' at Mazda's stand at next month's New York International Auto Show. Along with the all-new, high-performance2010 MazdaSpeed3 hatch and the refreshed 2010 CX-7 crossover, Mazda will also present the supposedly "heavily revised" CX-9 large crossover. Mazda claims that the 2010 CX-9 has received an exterior and interior facelift without however giving our any further details.
Form what we can tell, the facelifted CX-9 now features a larger and somewhat... smiley-shaped lower grille that seems to be making it on all Mazda models, along with a newly styled bumper, a five-point upper grille, revised headlamps and new exterior mirrors.
