German tuner, Edo Competition, has unveiled a new tuning package for the Porsche Panamera Turbo S. As usual with their projects, all the modifications were generally made under the hood and were enough to transform the car into the most powerful Panamera Turbo S ever.
The changes made to the engine include a new exhaust manifold, new turbochargers, and high-flow catalytic converters and air filters, as well as a stainless steel high-performance exhaust system with butterfly valves. The engine management system was also re-programmed to get best use out of the new hardware.
As a result, the Turbo S model’s 4.8 liter, V8 biturbo engine now delivers an additional 150 HP and 96 lb-ft of torque. This leaves it with a total of 700 HP and 649 lb-ft of torque, up from the standard 550 HP and 553 lb-ft of torque. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 3.5 seconds and the sprint to 124 mph in 11.4 seconds. Top speed will now be limited to 211 mph.
In addition to the massive engine upgrade, Edo Competition also put in a new set of 22" carbon-fiber-look racing wheels and an Edo lowering module which brings the Panamera’s body up to 30 millimeters closer to the road. The interior benefited from the finest leather and other high-quality materials.
The Fiat 500 is a great little car for anyone who is going on a solo mission, but anyone with a couple of kids in tow may need to look elsewhere. Fiat, well aware of the gap in their lineup, will be addressing this issue at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March with the 500L- an all-new model that expands the appeal of the brand’s iconic Fiat 500.
The new 500L (L stands for "Large") is a five-passenger model that expands the brand’s style and efficiency in the growing B-segment. It will be 163.0 inches long, 70.1 inches wide, and 65.4 inches tall. Under the hood, Fiat will place a choice of two petrol engines - the 101 HP 1.4 liter in-line four-cylinder engine from the standard 500 and a TwinAir version - as well as one diesel turbocharged 1.3 MultiJet II engine.
The Fiat 500L will be produced at the FIAT plant in Kragujevac, Serbia, and will arrive in the United States in 2013.
After teasing us for quite a while now, Ferrari has finally revealed the official details on their new successor for the 612 Scaglietti. Called the FF - an acronym for Ferrari Four (four seats and four-wheel drive), the new model is the company’s most powerful, versatile four-seater ever, as well as its first ever four-wheel drive car.
The concept car was designed by Pininfarina, and according to Ferrari "the new car represents not so much an evolution as a true revolution." The new model will deliver "unprecedented level an extremely sporty, high-performance character with incredible versatility, superb comfort and sophisticated elegance, guaranteeing both driver and passengers an absolutely unique driving experience."
The new Ferrari FF GT sports car concept made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and a production version will follow by 2012.
UPDATE 03/14/2011: If the new Ferrari FF happens to be in your future acquisitions list, then you should try the configurator Ferrari has just placed online for it. However, we should warn you, no matter what color you choose, the car won’t look any better.
UPDATE 02/02/2012: Ferrari has unveiled a new video presenting the FF in action on the snow. Behind the wheel was World Rally Champion Markku Alen as he performs one of the most amazing drifts.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Ferrari FF.
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Japanese automaker, Mazda, will troop to the Windy City to debut another special edition model of their most popular vehicle, the MX-5 Miata.
Based on the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring model, the car will be limited to only 450 models, distinguishing itself with a number of unique additions that include two new exterior colors, a black-only power retractable hard top, blah exterior accents, a new set of 17" gunmetal wheels, heated black leather seats, and interior finishes dressed in piano black.
Performance specs will remain the same, which means that the car will sport a 2.0-liter four cylinder engine that produces 167 horsepower and 158 lb/ft of torque and will be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed sport automatic transmission.
The MX-5 Miata Special Edition’s participation at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show was done as a tribute to Mazda’s debut on the global stage back in 1989. Since then, the Miata has become one of the most popular roadsters in the world, selling over a million models since it made its debut 23 years ago.
It’s not very often that a smaller vehicle is a company’s flagship, but we don’t care what BMW might tell you about the 7-Series, the 3-Series is the automaker’s top dog. Its styling has always worked and never been vulgar like some other models in the BMW lineup and it’s won more awards from the automotive press than the Los Angeles Lakers.
Believe it or not, the 3-Series has been around since 1975, but it really came into its own in 1992, when it won the first of 19 straight Car and Driver 10 Best awards. In 2006, it won the World Car of the Year and also the What Car? Car of the Year. Under the hood, the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six won the International Engine of the Year Awards for 2007.
To keep up with this impressive tradition, the sixth generation 3-Series unveiled at BMW’s plant in Munich has been built as a revolution and not as an evolution. The new model sets new benchmarks in terms of sporting prowess, elegance, and comfort, and has grown significantly in size compared to its predecessor: wide track - front + 37 mm; rear + 47 mm; length + 93 mm and wheelbase + 50 mm. And most importantly, next to the usual models, the new 3-Series will also be offered as a hybrid as of 2012.
UPDATE 10/17/2011: BMW has unveiled an online configurator for the new generation 3-Series. It will give you the possibility to play a bit with the exterior colors available and the wheels options, but you can also notice the differences between the three grades offered, plus the M-Sport Package. Enjoy!
UPDATE 02/03/12: BMW has just unveiled six very cool commercials for the new generation 3-Series. One of them - "The Big Grab" - will be shown during the Super Bowl. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more on the BMW 3-Series.
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