Mercedes Benz is still paying off the plastic surgeon for last year’s facelift to the SL-Class grand tourer, so we don’t expect them to do anything drastic anytime in the near future. However that hasn’t stopped the over the top aftermarket specialists at FAB Design from making a few changes of their own, and this time the changes are more than just cosmetic going further than skin deep.
The FAB Design SL has been given a new face with a very aggressive wide mouth front bumper, vented wide body fenders for the front and rear as well as a new diffuser underneath, however our favorite part of the bright white SL’s exterior are the color matched deep dish rims. Meanwhile FAB has raised the 6.0 Liter bi turbo V12’s output up from a mere 517 HP and boosts it well past the carbon fiber clad Black Series’ 650 HP and 738 lb-ft of torque up to a total of 750 HP and an astounding 738 lb-ft of torque. And while the SL’s top speed is electronically limited to a super car like 192 MPH, the sprint from 0 to 60 MPH now takes less than four seconds.
The German tuning firm MTM has released the official details about their upgrade package for the Audi TT-RS sports car. Inspired by the Ur-Quattro S1 from Group B rally racing, the MTM TT-RS combines a powerful turbocharged five cylinder engine with Audi’s patented Quattro all wheel drive system to create a compact tuner car that is capable of besting even R8 super car owners.
MTM is offering the power package in three different stages. The top of the line upgrade gives the lightweight four wheel drive a total of 424 HP, 84 more ponies then from the factory. This level of output allows the TT-RS to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in four seconds and reach a top speed of 184 MPH. The other to packages offer TT owners either 404 HP or 408 HP, now we aren’t quite sure as to what makes up the 4 HP difference between the two, and MTM wasn’t getting into the specifics. Rounding out the upgrade package, MTM has also fitted the TT-RS with a set of their signature BIMOTO sport rims available in either 19 or 20 inch diameters as well a variety of spacers to get the car’s stance just right. No matter which combination of power and style you choose, it will take a very exotic 5.2 Liter V10 for any other Audi to come close to the level of performance available from this MTM modified TT-RS.
Even if the demand is present, the German automaker BMW has decided to leave the job of tuning their luxury limousine up to Alpina and discarded the idea of a high performance M7, however they have decided to offer new car buyers a more aggressive looking 7 Series with an optional aero upgrade package. Unfortunately for some, their sales slips were signed before the automaker made the M Sport package available, but have no fear because European Auto Source has come to the rescue with their own version of the 7 Series’ Motor sport appearance package.
Similar to the OEM pieces, ESA’s kit includes an M Sport style front bumper with larger air intakes and matte black trim along the edges. However the genuine article’s stretched out horizontal chrome strips that sit at the edges of the big mouth front bumper are sold separately. But out back the EAS unit is almost identical to the one that comes from Germany. And while European Auto Source’s rolling stock are not quite the same as the split five spoke rims that come fitted to the 7 Series M Sport, these 21 inch alloy wheels finished in matte black with their classic mesh design do the trick.
After seeing MTM’s customization program for the new Golf GTD we know that Honda and Mugen don’t have a monopoly on the modified hatchback market. As further proof, the German tuning house ABT Sportsline has just come up with a kit of their own for the diesel burning turbocharged Golf VI. Aside from giving the TDI hatchback a 50 HP kick in the pants with one of their ABT Power units, the Germans have also reworked the Golf’s exterior to further suit their own brand of style.
The aero mods include a new front bumper with much more angular intakes as well as a set of stylish strips of LED driving lights. Out back the new rear diffuser makes room for ABT’s signature quad tipped exhaust pipes while an oversized wing keeps things planted at speed. Finishing off the design, ABT is offering a few wheel and tire options with their sporty AR and BR models available in either 18 or 19 inches in diameter. The alternatively fueled 2.0 Liter power plant now makes a total 190 HP and a very diesel like 288 lb-ft of torque, and although it may not sound so impressive going from 0 to 60 MPH in 7.1 seconds isn’t too bad for a diesel, and neither is a 143 MPH top speed. The best part about tuning a diesel is that when you are done you’re still driving a green vehicle.
Just so that you understand that there is nothing new about Honda performance and racing specialist’s game, this 1984 CRX Mugen Prototype is about as solid a piece of evidence as any showing the Japanese automaker’s intention of bringing unmatched levels of performance ever since the early 1980s and looked almost as good as new 25 years later at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Mugen massaged almost every aspect of the little CRX; developing high performance components for the the engine, suspension, brakes and body. The improvements that were made to the basic CRX turned it from a very affordable vehicle into a real head turner that thanks to its lightweight nature was able turn fast laps at the track as well, not to mention that a little LSD didn’t hurt. It was truly a treat to see this modern classic at the world’s greatest aftermarket car show, because it is certainly not every day that you get to touch such an iconic vehicle at least not in this good condition.
Not too long ago Topspeed reported about Honda’s in house tuner Mugen and their plan to take the Civic Type R hot hatch and pump up the adrenaline a few notches. Well today the Japanese automaker has confirmed that their R spec hatchback will indeed go on sale in the European market, and Mugen won’t be far behind with their own tuner ride complete with aggressively restyled bumpers, vented hood and fenders and an oversized rear wing that would make even the boldest of Evo owners jealous.
To go along with the boy racer body pieces, Mugen is also offering a set of lightweight 18 inch alloy wheels available in either gunmetal or bronze. Mugen has also dedicated quite a bit of time and energy into making the race ready Civic light on its feet and able to change directions at a moments notice, so they have fitted a sport suspension package as well as an upgraded brake kit. However the best parts of the car are those which you wish you never have to see, like a copper fiber clutch set that is made to take the added abuse that comes along with making quick shifts thanks to the Mugen short throw shifter, but the Pièce de résistance is a limited slip differential that is sure to cure any of the woes associated with a front wheel drive performance vehicle.
The great thing about YouTube is you that can scour its site for a few minutes and find auto commercials from other countries that you wouldn’t be able to find simply by flipping through the channels on your local cable network. While there may be times where different languages prevent us from fully-comprehending these ads, the sheer satisfaction that comes with watching them is sure worth it, even if we don’t understand them sometimes.
Thankfully, this particular Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution commercial from Australia is dialogue free so we can enjoy it for what it is: a visceral treat that promotes the Mitsubishi Evolution as capable of defying the laws of physics. Give it a look and tell us that you weren’t floored by this visual masterpiece.
One unlucky Audi R8 owning Californian learned what it feels like to be a piece of meat in when he unexpectedly taken from behind by a BMW 6 Series and sandwiched between it and a much larger (and heavier) Range Rover SUV. Unfortunately for the four ringed super car driver his dream car now looks like it was chewed up and spat out like a rotten piece of salami. The good part is that the Audi’s aluminum skin took the brunt of the impact and everyone inside was fine, however the worst part is that the R8’s aluminum skin too the brunt of the impact and even a slight fender bender looks like quite a bit of damage.
On the upside, if the red R8 owner’s insurance is any good and the adjuster is a nice guy, this just might be the perfect excuse to upgrade his wheels to the new 5.2 Liter V10 powered aluminum super car. Honestly there is no excuse for 4.2 Liter FSI owners to trade in their perfectly good mid engine machines, if it is a bump in output that they are after then the aftermarket already has a plethora of forced induction options that makes the old car even more powerful than the new car and combined with the V8’s weight savings should make for a more nimble machine. That is if you aren’t provided with an opportunity like this guy. This is just another silver lining on a very ominous dark cloud, it just depends on how you look at it.
Another wonder from Germany that we aren’t privy to just yet is the next generation Volkswagen Golf GTI. While VW enthusiasts overseas have been driving around in the latest hot hatch with its pronounced headlights and curvaceous body. The new GTI should be in U.S. showrooms by next year and you can expect for them to be everywhere else shortly thereafter. It is only fitting that the German suspension manufacturer H&R decided to bring a sixth generation GTI to the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, after all, ever since a team of top secret VW engineers slapped a GTI badge on the original Rabbit the one thing that these cars have become known for is outstanding handling.
As opposed to some of the more over the top examples of aftermarket influence at this year’s show, H&R has tastefully modified the Golf VI GTI with a set of thin spoked O.Z. Racing rims measuring 20 inches in diameter with a nice little red accent on the lip. Being the suspension specialists they are, H&R virtually eliminated whatever unsightly wheel gap VW gave the car from the factory leaving the new GTI with the perfect stance, all before laying down a pair of German flag inspired side stripes unlike anything you have ever seen before.
As part of an automotive manufacturer’s vast list of responsibilities they must pick and choose what cars they want to sell in what markets, unfortunately sometimes this means that certain regions are deprived of some outstanding automobiles. In this case we are talking about the Volkswagen Scirocco, the VW sports car hasn’t been sold in the U.S. since 1988 and is currently a dedicated Euro only model.
However like most things in car culture, leave it up to the aftermarket to make the impossible come true. Like when the Netherlands based high performance shock absorber manufacturer with subsidiaries around the world brought a modified VW Scirocco wearing a set of stylish 19 inch BBS rims stateside to the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Only after seeing the sports coupe in person can you fully appreciate the cars all new curves and haunch rear end, now we know why Volkswagen of America is a bit hesitant to bring the car to the U.S. because after seeing the new car in person, we would be hard pressed to pick the Golf as our Volkswagen of choice, especially after you have a gander at the even more powerful Scirocco R.
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