BF Performance, a well known tuner from Swiss have completed work on a new tuning kit for the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. Called the GT600, their package can be used on either the coupe or the Spyder.
The company says their inspiration was driven by their perception that “the Gallardo is too innocent and neither dynamic nor individual enough.” To that end, they designed a set of aerodynamics that gives the car an even more aggressive look, while cutting down on weight.
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General Motors has been offering special buying incentives specifically tailored to steer people away from Toyota and Lexus dealerships, and even get current Toyota owners out of their cars. And while most people look at this as just a clever marketing technique to promote other automakers in the wake of Toyota’s recall wound, a group of dealers are none too happy about the marketing campaign. What’s more, because the U.S. government currently owns a 60 percent stake in GM, Toyota dealers have made accusations that American taxpayer dollars are being used to fund these incentives.
It won’t be long before Hamann does it’s thing on the new Ferrari 458 Italia with a full-blown performance and styling package, but for now, the well-known German tuner has announced the launch of two new 21-inch alloy wheel designs for the Italian prima donna.
The first set, called “Edition Race”, is a deep-dish split-rim with titanium screws while the second set, named “Unique Forged”, is descirbed by Hamann as an “ultra-light forged alloy wheel” with a cross-spoke design in a flat black finish.
AC Schnitzer, BMW tuning specialist from Germany, has unveiled its tuning program for the BMW 5-Series GT at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
The power of the standard 530d six-cylinder engine that produces 245 hp has increased to 286 hp. The GT is also equipped with AC Schnitzer twin sports rear silencer and AC Schnitzer suspension spring set.
At the exterior, the AC Schnitzer BMW 5-Series GT features new front and rear spoilers, bonnet vents with chromed center web, new side skirts and new rear skirt.
The AC Schnitzer GT-5 Series can be fitted with different ranges of wheels available in 19, 20 or 22-inch wrapped with suitable tires.
German tuners Hofele have released details about their new package of mods for the Audi A8 (D4). The kits release coincides with Audi’s reveal of the new version of their flagship four-door.
A press release claims that the car realizes faster acceleration times of 5.2- and 5.3-seconds to 100 km/h depending on petrol or diesel engine. The petrol 4.2-liter FSI V8 has been improved to 400 PS (294 kW / 395 bhp) and up to 475 Nm (350 lb-ft) of torque, while the TDI is boosted to 395 hp (290 kW / 390 bhp) and up to 880 Nm (649 lb-ft). Fuel consumption remains at 9.5- (29.7 mpg imp) and 7.6-liters (37.1 mpg imp) of fuel per 100 kilometers, for the petrol and diesel, respectively.
Extra power brings the need for extra brake power, which is provided by larger, ventilated steel disc brakes that can be swapped for ceramic discs. Six-piston brakes were also added. The car’s suspension is lowered by between 40 and 80 millimeters, though it returns back to its original factory setting when traveling at 80 mph (129 km/h) and over. New alloy wheels measure 9.5×20″ front and 10×22″ in back, which look like a tight squeeze thanks to the lower wheel wells.
GeigerCars has given a significant power increase to the Mustang Shelby GT500. The car’s output was pumped up from 540 PS (397 kW / 533 bhp) to an impressive 810 PS (596 kW / 799 bhp).
Top speed on the car is now 354 km/h (220 mph). Sprint times were not revealed in the press release.
Torque on the 5.4-liter V8 engine was increased up to 945 Nm (697 lb-ft). The power improvements are in part due to a 3.3-liter compressor which puts out 1.6 bar pressure. Other performance enhancers include better air flow, new cylinder heads, more coolers, bigger throttle valves, and upgraded fuel injection.
The car’s transmission was modified to be able to take the extra power, and a three-disc carbon clutch was also used. Large 380 mm drilled brake discs were added, along with six-piston calipers.
The presence of the all-conquering Nissan GT-R in numerous race series around the world continues with two teams – Sumo Power GT and Swiss Racing Team – unveiling their FIA GT1-spec Nissan GT-R race cars in final livery at a press conference held at the Automobile Club de France in Paris during the launch of the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship.
Both racing teams have tested their cars during pre-season testing with Sumo Power GT testing at the FIA official test at the Paul Ricard circuit in France and also at a private test in Spain. Swiss Racing Team has been testing at two FIA official tests, at the Algarve Circuit and at Paul Ricard.
The season opener for the 2010 season takes place at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi on April 17th and then continues to nine other countries.
Ruf has created two versions of the Porsche 911 bearing the RGT moniker. The first was a 385-hp, 3.6-liter 996 and the second was a 445-hp 997. Now, the supercar manufacturer (don’t call ‘em a tuner) has created its third iteration, the RGT-8, and it’s the firm’s most impressive engineering feat to date.
Nestled within the back of Stuttgart’s finest, Ruf has managed to squeeze in a 4.5-liter V8 putting out 550 horsepower at its 8,500-rpm redline and 367 pound-feet of torque at 5,400 rpm. The 180-degree, flatcrank V8 is apparently custom designed by Ruf and comes complete with titanium connecting rods, a dry-sump lubrication system and spherical heads. And not only does it meet both U.S. and European emission standards, the whole swap is reportedly 80 pounds lighter than the 3.8-liter boxer-six it replaces.
Let’s have a look at the very heart of the Proton EMAS Concept cars – the Lotus Range Extender Engine. There has been a lot of concerns from readers about the range which has been rated at 50km. First of all, the car is still a concept at this point of time, so these figures are generally quite meaningless unless the car gets closer to production.
Concept cars are generally done as a ‘what if’ exercise and to gauge public perception and interest before moving ahead with the production version. This is why the one big question put forth at the Proton Concepts microsite is “would you like this to be the future of Proton”. According to Datuk Syed Zainal, it may take another 2 years before we can see a production version of the Proton EMAS on the roads.
Citroen’s latest concept car, the Survolt, is an unusual design study meant to show off a potential all-electric performance vehicle in an extravagant and “high-fashion” package. The new concept was unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show.
Performance specs were not revealed on the two-seater, but the French automaker does state that the car has a “motor racing punch.” No specific details were given about the car’s all-electric drivetrain, but it is said to be an evolution of the Citroen Revolte concept seen last year in Frankfurt. The Revolte is a hybrid model able to run as an all-electric using a rechargeable battery and small internal combustion engine.
