Monday, November 30, 2009

Audi A5 Sportback


The 1st official picture. Just a teaser so far.
Audi has also mentioned that the US market will not get this car.

I guess they still think Americans don't like hatchbacks...


Here is a teaser video.

More real life pictures of the 2010 Taurus









2011 Mustang to get new 3.7Liter V6


Finally.
The Mustang won't be using the old Explorer engine anymore. Starting next year.

It is supposed to be getting a version of the 3.7 Liter already in used in other Ford models.
It will make over 275hp. Much closer to the Camaro's 300hp V6.

This should be a really nice car. There is really no need for V8s anymore in our new "2009 over $3 a gallon world".
(Which is what I just paid yesterday, by the way...)

700HP Toyota Celica GT4 Tops Out at 202MPH - 325km/h

The Fensport-prepped Toyota Celica GT4 racer which recorded a top speed of 202.2 mph or 325km/h on November 21 at the Woodbridge Airfield near Ipswich, in the UK.

The man behind the steering wheel of the heavily modified Celica GT4, which features all-wheel drive and a 2.1-liter engine with a Turbo Dynamics' MD355 blueprinted turbocharger cranking out 700-horsepower, was Time Attack competitor, Adrian Smith.

"I started fine. I got wheel spin on the slippery start in the first three gears, but once in 4th the car settled nicely," said Smith. "At around 180 MPH a crosswind again started to move the car off-line. However, I kept my foot in and thankfully the car stayed straight and the wind subdued."



"I checked the speed and it was 201, then 202! I was thinking 'Yes it is going to do 205/206,' but then there was a tiny misfire and the speed dropped to 201 again. By then it was time to brake. I had done 202.22 MPH, what an amazing feeling."

According to Fensport, the 202.22 mph top speed was achieved from a standing start in just 1.1 miles.






Wald SPORTS LINE Mercedes Benz W212 E-Class

Wald International from Japan, a tuner specializing in premium European and Japanese marques, recently debuted their styling kit for the Mercedes E-Class W212 at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, and have now sent us a full set of beauty shots.

Falling under Wald's SPORTS LINE Black Bison Edition range, the styling components consist of a front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper fascia with integrated diffuser, trunk spoiler, roof spoiler, sports fender ducts and exhaust system. Wheels are Wald's own Mahora series which are available in several different finishes in 19-, 20- and 21-inch. As seen in previous SPORTS LINE Black Bison Editions, the louvred design elements seen on the sides of the front and rear bumper fascias and side skirts seem to be a hallmark trait. Other standout characteristics include the double foglamps and the stacked oval tailpipes reminiscent of the Lexus IS-F.








Aston Martin DB8


Aston Martin DB8, originally uploaded by Rob Cherry.

Top Five Ferrari Cars Based on speed design and costs

Competition on the car market is huge. With over 20 car manufacturers and various models, it's definitely not a gap in the market. Ferrari however, has a huge automobile history. Ferraris are pure emotion. They aren't most reliable, one of the cheapest or practicable. But every Ferrari driver probably agrees that they are the best cars in the world. So which Ferrari gives you most thrill?



1. Ferrari Enzo (FXX)

A car is really good if Ferrari names it after its founder Enzo Ferrari. The Enzo FXX is a project still going, with the car getting updates still. The Enzo FXX is sold only when you're chosen by Ferrari and changes owner for about €1,300,0000. Maintenance is huge, about €40,000 per year. But everyone will look at you when you drive one, guaranteed. And when it's dark out… I dare you to take it out for a spin.



2. Ferrari F430 Ferrari's new race car, replaced the 360 in 2005. It has a maximum speed of 317 km/h and is sold starting from €180.000. Remarkable is that it's the official car of the Ferrari race classes and the car is rumored to be replaced soon.


3. Ferrari california Central front engine with maximum speed of 310 km/h. First Ferrari car with dual clutch and most recent Ferrari released. The California is the most aerodynamic Ferrari yet. It costs €140.000 and average maintenance costs are unknown.



4. Ferrari 550 Maranello It has an front V12 engine with an maximum speed of 323 km/h. Beautiful curves and nice a beautiful interior. It's not the best or most recent Ferrari but will give you a huge thrill. Why? Because it costs €70,000 if you search right, and maintenance average is lower than the 612. Biggest maintenance post is that the car eats tyres for breakfast.



5. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti It has an engine providing 533HP, a maximum speed of 315 km/h. It's biggest feature that sets it apart: it has four seats. It's still not a family car though, it will cost you €300,000 to purchase and if used as an everyday car about €10,000 per year to maintain.

Read this as intended with pictures of the interior and exterior. ferrari car top 5 list

Best looking cars of 2009

Best looking cars in each class 2009. The AutoBild group, a publisher of more than 27 magazines, each year asks their readers what they think is the best looking cars of that year. The tests are separated into 4 groups. On average 40 million people each year vote for the winners of the design award 2009. The results aren't final yet but here are the leaders at the moment.

Category A (small/compact cars)

3. Volkswagen Polo.


2. Citroen C3 Picasso




1. Renault Megana




Category B (Sedan/station wagons)

3. Porsche panamera.


2. BMW 7 series



1. Opel Insignia Sports Tourer


Category C (Coupe/cabrios)

3. Audi A5 cabriolet




2. Aston Martin DBS Volante




1. Aston Martin One-77


Category D (MPV/SUVs)

3. Lexus RX 450h



2. Saab 9-3X



1. Audi A4 Allroad



Interestingly in the last category the difference between then number 2 and 1 is huge in terms of votes. So the Audi A4 looks like a sure winner when the final numbers of this year's design awards come in. Can't wait.

The cars on this list are all voted on by autobild readers and site visitors. It doesn't represent the whole population but it does represent the opinion of a lot of people.

For pictures go to the site:
Best looking cars of 2009 according to autobild

Tuning a Mustang

Tuning a mustang can be simple or complex. There are a few ways to tune a mustang. The common way is through the use of a hand held tuner. The other way is by tossing the car on the dyno and testing tunes to get the maximum power and efficiency.
First, the hand held tuner. The typical mustang tuner is going to come with a few programs on it. Typically you get an 87 octane, 91 octane, and 93 octane tunes. Each tune has been dyno tested on a dynamometer which measures horse power and torque throughout the entire rpm ranges, so you can see the mustangs torque curves. The tuners also allow for speedometer recalibration for those who go to larger or different sized tires, or even for different axel ratios. They also read and clear DTC's (diagnostic trouble codes) or check engine lights. Typical gains on a diablosport predator mustang tuner are about 20 horse power. Most mustang tuners come with extra tunes for the people that have added an air intake or an exhaust system. Diablosport doesn't batch test their tuners when they make them either, they are all tested individually to ensure the best quality possible.

Second, you have the dyno tunes. Now remember, we mentioned that most mustang tuners were tested on a dyno before they are made for the masses. One thing that must be kept in mind here is that even though you might have ten of the same car that were produced on the same production line, the same day, they all seem to act just a little different. The tunes created on a dyno with the mustang that is being worked on are made specifically for that mustang and can generate slightly higher gains, but in most cases we're only talking about a few horse power. Tuning the mustang either way will also improve engine efficiency and improve fuel economy one to two miles per gallon, and sometimes even a rare three mpg. This is great for the weekend warriors that use their mustang to commute during the week, where they will have the maximum fuel economy, and then on the weekends they will have the maximum power.

Our preference here is the hand held tuner, because it gives the end user the ability to make the changes themselves. For example, you can tune your stock mustang and gain some really good power. You can then add a cold air intake, and alter the tune, and add an exhaust, and alter the tune. You can even add a supercharger or turbocharger system which require the use of a tuner to make the engine even run at all once the the forced induction system of your choice has been added. You also have the ability to get in touch with the manufacturer of the tuner. Diablosport for example, can create custom tunes for whatever someone is wanting to do to their mustang. You can see how four or five trips to the dyno guy for each time you add a part after having saved up for it, can get expensive. If all the parts that are ever going to be added to the mustang are all done at the same time, then the dyno tune is going to be the most accurate and produce the most power. If parts are going to be added over time, and for me, I'm always looking for the next mod for my mustang, then the tuner is the best way to go.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

1875hp Gallardo Twin-Turbo Runs 0-400 in 10s


Underground Racing has presented a number of tuned Lamborghini’s in the past and this is their latest product – the Lamborghini Gallardo ‘Racing Version’. Created for a client and known as the TTG, the Lamborghini Gallardo you see here has received the twin-turbo treatment and is now producing up to 1875hp at the crank and that’s after considering the 25 per cent drivetrain loss.

All that power is laid down via a six-speed transmission and the TTG demolishes the quarter mile run in sub-ten seconds and at speeds exceeding 260km/h. Underground Racing also points out that it was the owners first time behind the wheel so the TTG could be capable of even more astonishing numbers.



Wimmer RS Shows Off Spiced Up Ferrari F430 Spider at Essen

Joining the insane 827HP Porsche 911 GT2 Speed at Wimmer RS's booth at the 2009 Essen Motor Show is the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, a subtly tuned version of the F430 Spider model. Performance modifications include a power pack that comprises of an upgraded ECU and a hand-built, sport exhaust system featuring remote controlled valves that allow the driver to choose between a nearly stock and racing note from the quad tail pipes.

The kit slightly boosts the 4.3-liter V8's power from 490HP to 528HP with Wimmer RS announcing the Italian thoroughbred goes from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in a claimed 3.84 seconds, to 200km/h (124mph) in 11.03 seconds and to 300km/h (187mph) within 34.9 seconds. The tuned F430 Spider is said to top out at 321 km/h or 200 mph.



The German firm's sport package also includes a KW HLS suspension system that allows the front-end of the car to be lifted by 45mm at a push of a button to safely navigate obstacles such as parking ramps or speed bumps without damaging the vehicle.

The tuner finished the package with 19-inch lightweight alloy rims from BBS shod in 225/35 R19 Dunlop tires up front and 305/30 R19 tires at the rear.





Porsche Cayman X-Wide by XTR Carchip

German tuner XTR Carchip Tuning has unveiled this 2006 Porsche Cayman "987" S with a wide body kit and a couple of engine modifications. The body has a front spoiler with carbon splitter, side skirts, carbon fibre mirrors, rear side panels and detachable GRP fenders. The Pirelli tyres are wrapped around 3-piece 18-inch BBS RS wheels with central locking. The suspension was upgraded and a new Super Sprint "Magnum" exhaust system.

The interior features a new carbon fibre dashboard, 6-point seatbelts for the Recaro GT3 seats, a safety roll cage, air conditioning and the original factory audio system.



Power increased from 217kW (295hp) to 228kW (310hp) though some slight engine chip tuning. While this is quite a modest gain, XTR has given assurances that come spring 2010 a prescription that includes twin turbos will lead to a push of about 625kW (850hp).

Despite its looks, the Cayman is intended for the street with some hobby track racing on the side.