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.
The German automaker Volkswagen has a long history with the independent motor vehicle manufacturing firm Karmann, most notably the classic VW Karmann Ghia that was styled by the Carrozzeria Ghia and constructed by the coach builder Karmann. More recently the Volkswagen Group announced that they have acquired the land, machinery and equipment at the Osnabrück site that formerly belonged to the Karmann holding company. The best part about the acquisition is that VW is planning on setting up a new manufacturing subsidiary and eventually break ground on a new project.
Production at the Osnabrück facility isn’t scheduled to begin until 2011, however current projections detail the creation of over 1,000 jobs by the year 2014. There has been no mention of whether VW will keep the Karmann staff on for the new project, however it would be foolish to let all of those experienced automotive craftsmen go due to their extensive experience building limited edition vehicles. One of the models that will be built at the Osnabrück site is the Volkswagen BlueSport diesel roadster as well as a drop top Cabrio version of the next generation Golf VI. It’s always nice to see old friends getting back together.
Lexus recently unveiled the compact hybrid LF-Ch Concept earlier this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The forward thinking hatchback is a preview as to what the future of luxury will be all about, set to compete head to head with other efficient space saving luxury vehicles like the the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 when the LF-Ch makes its scheduled debut sometime in 2012.
In an official statement, Lexus General Manager Mark Templin said that "There is a group of buyers growing up now who won’t buy cars by the pound. We have already seen a structural shift to the smaller and lower-priced segments of the luxury market over the last couple years." The compact premium segment has been strong in congested urban areas for years, especially in Europe. The challenge that not only Lexus but a host of other automakers are setting for themselves is how to get the American market to warm up to the idea of paying mare and getting less. One of the steps that will most likely be taken when the LF-Ch becomes production ready is the use of a conventional power train in order to pass the savings along to the customer, but with any success you can expect Toyota to release a hybrid versions shortly after.
The next generation BMW 5-Series luxury sedan has just made its world debut. As expected the design of the all new 5 takes cues from both the 7-Series limousine and the 5-Series GT crossover, all coming together to give the 5-Series a a much more elegant and streamlined appearance.
BMW will power the new 5-Series with a V8 as well as an assortment of six cylinder engines burning both gasoline and diesel. The new car’s lineup will range from the fuel efficient BMW 520d making 184 HP, the 535i powered BMW TwinPower Turbo using High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC variable valve timing that cranks out 306 HP as well as the top of the line 550i powered by a 407 HP eight cylinder engine; just to name a few.
As part of BMW’s new car lineup, every new 5-Series models will come equipped with an eight speed automatic transmission. Aside from the the German automaker’s automatic transmission optimized for efficiency, the new 5-Series will come standard with other gas saving features like EPS Electric Power Steering that takes some stress off the drive train by reducing parasitic drag and frees up a few more horsepower at the same time. One thing that is for certain is that the new 5-Series is guaranteed to impress new car shoppers.
Ford’s ’10 Unleashed campaign has given us some pretty good entertainment over the past couple of months. There was the touching story of a blind man getting his first taste of sitting behind the wheel of a 2010 Mustang, there was that owner who decided to turn his Mustang into a rally car, and of course, there was the four Need for Speed gamers who took their video game skills out on a real race track.
The latest instalment of the hit campaign sees the 2010 Mustang take on a group of professional skateboarders in a sort-of can-you-top-this competition.
Of course, we need to have a certain level of perspective as to how this challenge played out. After all, the 2010 Mustang had the decided advantage of computer-generated graphics on its side. So, in a nutshell, you can say that the competition wasn’t done on an even playing field – no pun intended.
Check out the videos after the jump to see who rocked whose wheels.
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.
We are well aware of what the German tuning firm 9ff is capable of when they put their minds to something, like the 253 MPH GT9R or the 850 HP BT2 complete with classic Gulf Racing livery. However 9ff is set to unveil something a little more mundane at the upcoming 2009 Essen Motor Show with the Speed9. While it is based on a 911 Turbo, 9ff is paying homage to the classic 1955 Porsche 356 1500S Speedster for all those high performance Porsche aficionados who want to ride around with the wind in their hair.
Thanks to modern day running gear, the only thing that is reminiscent of the old ’55 is the styling. Covering that aspect 9ff included a new ground effects package that consists of a new front apron, side skirts and rear bumper along with 9ff Speed9 sports seats and matching steering wheel. The 911 Turbo that serves as the vehicle’s foundation received an upgraded ECU, free flowing exhaust and a set of sport catalytic converters that let the bi turbo flat six breathe to the tune of 650 HP and 656 lb-ft of torque. Even though 9ff hasn’t let us in on any performance figures as of yet, you can expect the Speed9 to go faster than you ever want to with the top down.
In an effort to douse the growing fear that the Lexus LF-A’s price tag would be too much to spare, Lexus has decided that they will lease the cars to prospective owners and not sell them outright. According to Automotive News, Lexus will be offering two year leases of the LFA to interested parties at a fixed price and, after the two-year period expires, will give these people the chance to buy the car outright.
This development should come as a welcome relief to those interested in getting one of the 500 LF-As Lexus is set to build. This allows people the opportunity to go home with one of the most sought-after supercars in the world without having to pay the full price tag for the privilege. In the event that they’d want to let go of it after two years, they won’t have to pay for the outstanding balance of the car. But if they want to keep the LF-A in their garage, they would only need to pay the remaining balance.
Ever since the car was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, the buzz surrounding the car has grown exponentially with more and more people salivating at the thought of owning a limited edition model. But while the price tag has yet to be released, people are still expecting the LF-A to come with a six-digit price tag, which, given the signs of the times, might be too much for their wallets to bear.
Lexus’ decision to lease the LFAs instead of selling them outright allows people to enjoy the car’s glorious 552 horsepower without having to sell all their appendages in the black market.
The Japanese luxury automaker Lexus will reveal their replacement for the GX470 luxury SUV at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show with a model called the GX460. The new full size SUV is based on the European model of Toyota’s Land Cruiser and will go on sale sometime in early 2010.
The main difference between the Land Cruiser and the GX460 is the front end appearance of the Lexus with its new grille, redesigned headlamps, new bumpers and chrome trim on the side windows and lower door moldings. Not to mention the Lexus’ luxurious interior.
Under the hood of the all new GX460, Toyota’s the current 4.7 Liter V8 is being replaced by a more efficient 4.6 Liter unit that delivers a maximum output of 310 HP and 327 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a new fuel saving six speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. One thing is certain with the all new Lexus GX460, not only will it be able to transport an entire soccer team and all their gear, but it will do it with unparalleled refinement.
Ferrari unveiled the 195 Inter in 1950 at the Paris motor Show. It was in fact a 166 Inter with a slightly longer wheelbase and a modified engine. Ferrari built only 24 units of the 195 Inter, as in 1951 it has been replaced by the 212 Inter.
For the 195 Inter the wheelbase has been enlarged from 2420 mm to 2500 mm, to increase cabin space. Like in the 166 Inter, the chassis frame was of the same basic tubular steel construction as that of the earlier model and featured independent front suspension via a transverse leaf spring, with a rigid axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, and Houdaille lever shock absorbers all round.
There was a concurrent 195 Sport model, which was built in the even chassis number competition car range. An example of the 195 Sport in berlinetta form, driven by Marzotto/Crosara won the 1950 Mille Miglia, ahead of the 195 engine Touring barchetta of Serafini/Salani. The range of body design houses altered to include Motto and the Swiss Ghia Aigle concerns; each produced a single example of their craft on a 195 chassis, whilst Stabilimenti Farina dropped off the list. With this model, the Ghia and Vignale body styles seemed to find greatest favor with clients, considerably outnumbering the other contenders.
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