Wheelsandmore Aston Martin DB9 Volante

Wheelandmore, a well known tuner from Germany has some ideas of its own for the Aston Martin DB9 convertible.

First up is a performance upgrade for the 6.0 liter V12 engine with 476 hp and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque that comes with the production version. Wheelsandmore boosts that by 60 hp while adding 68 Nm (50 lb-ft) of torque too. They've done so by tinkering with the ECU and adding a stainless-steel sport exhaust system with 200-cell sport catalysts and noise-volume valve control. Suspension-lowering is part of the package with the DB9 sitting 25 mm lower.



The DB9 also gets a new body kit made of polyurethane along with side skirts, front and rear aprons and a rear lid spoiler. The convertible gets fitted with Kahn RS-V 20-inch wheels with Dunlop Sport Maxx performance tires - 255/35/20 for the front 9.0x20 rims and 285/30/20 for the 11.0×20 rear rims.

Prices are €5,999 for the wheel set, €9,000 for the body kit, €8,800 for the exhaust system, €3,400 for the ECU upgrade and €1,150 for the lowering springs.

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Lumma Design + G-Power BMW 5 series CLS 730 RS

Lumma Design, a well known German tuner has released a new performance tuning package for the BMW M5 E60. Winterlingen-based Lumma Design has been working with the engineers at G-Power on an upgrade kit to the M-badged version of the 5-series.

The result is a car that uses all 730 horsepower of a bi-compressor V10 to reach a maximum speed of over 367 km/h (228 mph). The 700 Nm of torque helps the car go 0-100 km/h time in 4.2 seconds, reaching 200 km/h in just ten seconds. 300 km/h is achieved in 29.5 seconds.



The companies claim this is the "most powerful engine" ever seen on a "road-legal BMW." It is certainly a huge development over Lumma's CLR 500 RS released in 2007. That car saw a "paltry" 560 horsepower.

Certainly, these figures require non-stock brakes. Lumma Design's own six-piston front, four-piston rear caliper brakes are used along with drilled 405mm discs. Ultralight, three-piece forged 10x21 and 12Jx21 wheels at the nose and tail look great on the 45mm lowered car.

The design package includes carbon fiber boot and bonnet, and the material is also used for the door handles, entrance sills, fenders, and mirror caps. Designers also replaced the exhaust system. Inside, carbon fiber, leather, and suede is used gratuitously. Hopefully, the color scheme chosen inside is customizable, as something more subtle than the contrasting red, white, dark grey would probably feel more appropriate.

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Mitsubishi shows off EVOlved 2010 Outlander GT

Mitsubishi will release the prototype made The Mitsubishi Outlander GT in New York earlier this year, a sign that the Lancer Evolution's front end would be spreading to other models in the lineup. Along with the new look, the GT concept also received sportier options like 19-inch OZ Racing wheels, larger Brembo brakes, a lightweight aluminum roof and a slight bump in horsepower.

While we don't yet know exactly what features of the concept car will make it to the production version, we do know what it will look like. In addition to the our live photos we snapped last month at our favorite SoCal car meet, Mitsubishi has just released dozens of new photos of its new sportier-looking SUV. You won't have to wait long for the details, though, as we are scheduled to get behind the wheel of the Outlander GT next week.

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2011 Nissan GTR Facelift European Spec

Recently, Nissan has announced the release of the European-spec version of the car that boasts a bevy of minor updates, chiefly under the skin. Starting with the suspension, Nissan's engineers changed the front spring and damper rates for better ride comfort, and increased the stiffness of the suspension radius rod bushings at the rear to improve feel and responsiveness during cornering.

Nissan said that it has also altered the logic controlling torque distribution between the front and rear axles when the GT-R is maneuvering at low speeds to reduce rear-axle 'binding'.

The logic in the gearbox has been changed to give a later downshift from 6th to 5th when the car is being driven in automatic mode, but a more aggressive downshift pattern is adopted when the driver changes from 4th to 3rd, and from 3rd to 2nd gear.

Another improvement for the 2011 MY GT-R is the addition of two NACA cooling ducts to the carbon fibre underfloor diffuser for extra cooling to the exhaust and gearbox while a new, larger diameter pipe connecting the oil cooler promises to reduce gearbox temperatures.

The list of changes also includes a stiffened front transmission mount to reduce vibration through the driveline under high-load conditions.

Furthermore, the balance of the electonic brakeforce distribution bias has been moved slightly rearwards which Nissan says gives greater braking stability in dry conditions. A change in design of the rear brake cross spring is said to reduce noise while a modified air deflector increases rear brake cooling.

Nissan also claims that changes to the emissions system now ensure that the GT-R is Euro 5 compliant, without any loss of output or performance, with CO2 emissions having dropped by 3g to 295g/km.

The Japanese automaker has also fitted uprated insulation to the rear seats to improve improving cabin refinement.

The only visual upgrades for the 2011MY GT-R concern the front and rear bumpers that benefit from a double coat, giving a deeper color finish, while inside, the speedometer and rev counter now sport gun metallic finish surrounds. Finally, the new model year GT-Rs are equipped with Nissan's next generation audio and navigation system that features 40GB of memory space.

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Audi Pikes Peak TTS

The Audi Pikes Peak TTS is nicknamed "Shelley" by the Stanford DDL after Michele Mouton, arguably the most successful female rally driver to date who played a significant part in Audi's racing history.

Goal
To collaborate with Stanford to build an autonomous vehicle capable of completing the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in a reasonable time using rally driving techniques.

Team:
Volkswagen Electronics Research Lab
Convert a vehicle to drive by wire, develop a safety architecture to ensure a reliable autonomous drive with no safety driver, and implement Stanford's control algorithms on a system jointly developed with Sun Microsystems.



Stanford Dynamics Design Lab
Develop robust control algorithms that enable the vehicle to drive at the limits of handling on a variety of surfaces, and lets it complete the Pikes Peak course.

Sun Microsystems
Specify a hardware platform that can run Stanford's real time algorithms and develop a framework that enables Real Time Java to the vehicle CAN system.

Vehicle:
Make and model: 2009 Audi TTS
Engine: 2.0L Turbocharged I4 DOHC
Transmission: 6-Speed S tronic automatic transmission
Fuel Consumption: City: 21 mpg
Highway: 29 mpg
Combined: 24
Power: 265 hp & 6000 rpm1
Torque: 258 lb-ft. @ 2500 – 5000 rpm
Top speed: 155 (249km/h),
Acceleration: 0-60mph: 4.9sec
Weight incl. sensor: ~ 1470kg.

Drive-By-Wire:
Steering: Modified "APA-BS" (Axially Parallel Actuation-Braun-Schweig), a new production electric power steering system with direct by-wire control through custom ERL Electronics.
Throttle: Electronics from VW ERL reproduce signals to emulate a driver pressing on the throttle.
Brakes: Active brake booster from Continental with by-wire control through ERL Electronics.
Gear: Modification of signals exchanged between transmission and gear shifter using custom ERL electronics on production hardware.
Parking brake: Use of stock electric parking brake from VW Passat through a custom ERL electronic interface utilized on Junior.

Safety:
In addition to multiple redundant systems for vehicle control, and emergency shutdown the Pikes Peak TTS has a Solaris based system running a Java RTS system monitor that can perform a vehicle shutdown if it determines conditions have become unsafe.

As a backup solution, the vehicle includes a telemetry system that can transmit all vehicle parameters to a receiving station up to 20 miles away which can also shut down the vehicle remotely, or order the safety systems to engage and bring the car to a controlled stop.

Sensors:
The Pikes Peak TTS utilizes an Applanix POS LV420 GPS and Inertial Measurement Unit to measure its position.

Vehicle Control:
Hardware:
Two independent systems are being used in the Pikes Peak TTS, the initial controller development is being done on an XPC target using Matlab and Simulink which are the standard research tools from Stanford's DDL. The final vehicle controls are being run on ruggedized custom built solutions running a Core2Duo CPU and Solaris operating system that is being developed in collaboration with Sun Microsystems.

Software:
The Stanford University Dynamics Design Lab is developing cutting edge control algorithms that look to optimize the ability to control the vehicle under the most demanding circumstances. As these algorithms are finalized they will be merged into a new framework being developed at the ERL based that shares many components with other ERL Autonomous driving projects.

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2011 BMW M3 GTS Revealed

The mysterious BMW M3 with a massive wing spied testing on the Nurburgring a couple of weeks ago has now been identified. It was this brand new M3 GTS, the most extreme 3 series-based factory car of the current E92 generation.

Installed into the engine bay is a 4.4-litre V8 based on the 4.0-litre engine found in the standard M3. Maximum power is 450bhp (an increase of 36bhp) and the transmission is the 7-speed M dual clutch transmission (M-DCT) with adapted shift characteristics. The exclusive 19-inch aluminium wheels come wrapped inside 225/35 front and 285/30 rear tyres.

Suspension upgrades include the utilisation of yellow springs for a threaded suspension while the rear axle support is said to be bolted in place. Most notable in previous spy materials was the big rear wing which generates high levels of downforce. It is adjustable as well as the front splitter for increased cornering precision and handling.



Despite the factory car having weight-saving pieces like the carbon fibre roof, BMW saw it fit to reduce body mass even further. After all, the GTS aims to beat the old M3 CSL's Nürburgring lap time. Measures thus taken include employing light body-contoured seats, a new titanium rear silencer whose work can be heard on the video as well as the removal of air conditioning and the rear seat. Rollover protection mounts were bolted on from the B column while a fire extinguisher and a battery master switch/emergency shut-off preparation ensure safety.

BMW will only manufacture the M3 GTS to order and sell it at about €115,000 (US$170 614) per unit. German deliveries begin in May 2010 while other countries are scheduled for the summer.

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MR Car Design released 370hp VW Scirocco

The German tuner MR Car Design has released a new modified version of the VW Scirocco called "Blakc Rocco". Wrapped in a matte black vinyl, the Black Rocco features a full bodykit from Rieger that consists of a front apron, side skirts and a rear apron with an integrated diffuser that houses the four tail pipes. The red pin stripes and 20-inch alloy wheels shod in 235/30 ZR20 S1 EVO high performance tires complete the exterior package.

The engine of the car which is 210HP 2.0-liter TFSI engine that has received a Stage 3 turbo kit, a new downpipe, reprogrammed ECU and a custom-made exhaust system for an overall output of 370-horsepower and 519Nm or 382 lb-ft of peak torque.

MR Car Designe also fitted the car with a new limited slip differential, a Stoptech high performance brake system and new coilovers from KW Automotive. The tuning firm has yet to announce pricing on its new Sciorcco-based model.

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New Honda NSX Racer to Debut at Final Round of Britcar Championship

John Danby Racing team's newly developed (and oh-so sizzling hot) Honda NSX racer. The matte black Japanese sportscar was built to comply with the Britcar Production regulations and has already completed a successful shakedown test at Snetterton in Norfolk last Friday ahead of its debut at the season's final round at Brands Hatch on November 7.

The UK-based racing team said that their newly built NSX is equipped with all the latest technology gizmos such as engine control and data-logging capabilities with GPS, Fly by Wire and live feed video while custom solutions have been adopted for for dampers and brakes.



The NSX racer will be driven by motoring journalist and TV persona Vicki Butler-Henderson alongside John Danby Racing regular James Barclay in the daytime Production race while the car's owner and Britcar regular David Fenn will drive the NSX in the evening GT race alongside Barclay.

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