Audi has started 2010 with a bang and launched two top of the range performance variants for their A5 Cabriolet and TT model ranges.

The Audi S5 Cabriolet quattro S tronic brings a sporting element to the A5 cabriolet range, which until now has made do with the 195 kW 3.2 FSI as the most powerful engine available. The new S5 Cabrio differs from it’s Coupe sibling in that it uses the same engine found in the S4, namely a supercharged 3,0-litre V6, and not the 4,2-litre V8 as one might expect. The supercharged V6 produces 245 kW and 440 N.m of torque and, coupled with a 7-speed S tronic gearbox, is enough to launch the S5 Cabriolet from zero to 100 km/h in an athletic 5.6 seconds, with a limited top speed of 250 km/h. Harnessing the power is Audi’s S sports suspension, high-performance brake system – with the S5 logo on the calipers – as well as a set of 18-inch tyres as standard.

The long awaited Audi TT RS has finally arrived on our shores and is set to tear up the tarmac with quattro permanent four-wheel drive and a powerful 2,5-litre 5-cylinder engine. With 250 kW and 450 N.m of torque, the range topping TT has a zero to 100 km/h sprint time of just 4.6 seconds with a limited top speed of 250 km/h. Thanks in part to the Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology, the TT RS weighs just 1 450 kg’s and has an impressive power-to-weight ratio. To match its striking body kit, the TT RS features 18-inch wheels fitted with 245/40 size rubber, ventilated brake discs – 370 mm in the front and 310 mm at the rear – as well as sports suspension to lower the car by 10 mm. The TT RS comes equipped with a number of standard features, including a driver information system relaying boost pressure, oil temp and a lap timer; park distance control in the rear; a Bose sound system; satellite navigation with TT RS welcome screen; and TT RS flat bottomed multi function sports steering wheel.

The new models are similarly priced with the S5 Cabriolet costing R693 500 and the new TT RS slightly cheaper at R693 000.

Aston Martin’s One-77 supercar has moved closer to setting a new all-time record for the British marque in initial high speed testing after surpassing all predictions and breaking the 350 km/h mark.

The One-77 is currently undergoing a stringent development process ahead of planned launch in 2010 with high speed testing taking place at a top secret proving ground in southern Europe. In a series of test runs completed last week, the One-77 exceeded original expectations and recorded a 354.86 km/h top speed in dry but windy conditions, under the guidance of the Aston Martin engineering team.

Press Release (Click to expand)

Adapted from DeiselStation

Tuning icon Brabus has laid claim to yet another fastest-in-the-world record with this GLK V12. Said to accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and 0 – 200 km/h in 12.8 seconds, the Mercedes-Benz GLK-based athlete was in attendance at the recent Nardo ‘High Performance Event’ where it posted a scintillating top speed of 322.3 km/h, making it the fastest street-legal SUV in the world, as per the press release.

The work involved in such a feat is enormous. It includes fitting a massive 6,3-litre V12 bi-turbo engine with two large turbochargers, more efficient intercoolers, free-flow metal catalysts and a stainless steel exhaust system.

Maximum power is rated at 552 kW at 5 500 rpm and peak torque is 1 350 N.m at 2 100 rpm. Brabus have however limited the latter to 1 100 N.m. All of that goes to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic gearbox assisted by a limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent.

The exterior kit includes a carbon fibre spoiler lip, a front apron with large air dams, Brabus Widestar fender flares that add 50 mm to the width, underside LED lights, a Brabus roof spoiler to reduce aerodynamic lift and a Brabus stainless-steel sport exhaust system.

Customers can choose from five different wheel designs sized 10Jx22 with Pirelli or Yokohama tyres of up to size 285/25 ZR22.

A customised interior featuring things like wood trim or carbon fibre panels, full leather upholstery with optional Alcantara elements and a 7-inch LCD screen can be ordered.

The amazing Brabus GLK V12, which costs an equally amazing 397 000 Euros, is being shown at the Dubai International Motor Show.

Erectile Dysfunction

Adapted from WorldCarFans

It takes a German to make an Italian stallion this wild. Novitec Rosso, the arm of the high end tuning firm that specializes in all things from Maranello, has just released a new customisation package for the 343 kW V8 powered Ferrari California.

Novitec leaves no aspect of the brand new retractable hard top sports coupe untouched, making modifications both inside and out, and they weren’t worried about getting a little grease under their fingernails because they also changed out the suspension in search of better handling.

But what’s the benefit of looking good and being able to take corners a little faster if you can’t blow past other California drivers on the straights, so the German engineers gave the front engine Ferrari a more aggressive engine tune as well.

The outside benefits from healthy heap of carbon fibre, with elements like a new front spoiler, side skirts and a new diffuser incorporated into the rear apron. The German tuner is offering the package with their three piece Novitec Rosso NF3 wheels, sized either 21 or 22 inches in diameter depending on how much you want to feel the road. Don’t worry about wheel gap because the car comes down by 35 mm at all four corners not only to improve handling but to give the new California the perfect stance. The Ferrari’s engine management software has been reprogrammed with custom mapping that optimises both injection and ignition increasing output to an even 373 kW and 517 N.m of torque when combined with the new stainless steel exhaust that allows the California to be heard.

Adapted from TopSpeed

Brabus will exhibit the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG-based Brabus B63 S at the 2009 Essen Motor Show. The famous tuner kept the 6.3-litre (6208cc) V8 naturally aspirated, meaning no superchargers or turbos are installed. Using its so-called Brabus B63 S kit, power and torque were improved from the standard 386 kW and 630 N.m of torque to 408 kW and 650 N.m respectively. The magic was achieved through two sport air filters, free-flow metal catalysts and newly programmed engine electronics.

As a result the zero to 100 km/h sprint time has been reduced to a mere 4.3 seconds and top speed goes up to 320 km/h. A limited slip differential (LSD) with a locking rate of 40 percent ensures optimal grip at all times.

The aerodynamic package was developed in a wind tunnel and includes a carbon fibre front spoiler lip, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler. The front fenders have lateral air outlets which don’t just glamourise the car’s looks but serve to improve venting. Custom-tailored wheel and tyre combinations include 18, 19 and 20-inch sizes, shod with Pirelli or Yokohama high-performance tyres sized 245/30 ZR 20 up front and up to 295/25 ZR 20 at the rear.

Interior equipment choices include durable Brabus Mastik leather and Alcantara, carbon fibre inlays, wood and many electronic gadgets to suit the tastes of different buyers.

Adapted from WorldCarFans

GeigerCars, a German company based in Munich, specialises in modifying US built cars to make them even better.

The latest example of its handiwork is the Ford GT Geiger HP 790, which has been given a little more juice – 176 kW. The Ford GT Geiger HP 790 is still powered by the stock 5,4-litre V8 engine but has received a new 4,0-litre compressor, instead of the standard 2,3-litre, increasing pressure to 1.25 bars. The Ford GT Geiger HP 790 also comes with larger throttle valves, a sports air filter, revised engine and gear cooling systems and a re-programmed ECU. Creating overall power figures of 581 kW at 6 320 rpm and 863 N.m of torque at 4 600 rpm.

The top speed of the Ford GT Geiger HP 790 is a reckless 360 km/h and the car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in a scant 3.6 seconds, to 200 km/h in 6 seconds and to 300 km/h in 22.8 seconds.

The Ford GT Geiger HP 790 pricing hasn’t been announced yet but this sort of neck-snapping performance won’t come cheap. Certainly in terms of out-right performance the Ford GT Geiger falls within the supercar league, but does this make it a supercar – what do you think?

Adapted from NZV8

We’ve just come across some new images of the recently announced Porsche Boxster Spyder, which will make its debut at the 2009 LA Auto Show next month.

A quick refresher for those who don’t know: Weighing in at 1 275 kg, the Spyder is powered by a 3,4-litre six-cylinder engine that produces 238 kW. Mated to the optional PDK (Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) transmission, the Spyder accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds before topping out at 267 km/h – with the roof down.

Click here for the Porsche Boxster Spyder article.

Porsche has released the first images and details about the 2010 Boxster Spyder.

Described as the “…purist form of the Porsche sports car – light, powerful, consistently open, and very efficient”, the Spyder is powered by a 3,4-litre six-cylinder engine that produces 238 kW. Backed up by the optional PDK (Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) transmission, the Spyder accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds before topping out at 267 km/h – with the roof down. If that isn’t impressive enough, the roadster consumes just 9.3 L/100km in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

To further maximise the Spyder’s sporting prowess, Porsche put the car on a diet – it weighs just 1 275 kg, which makes it the lightest model in the Porsche lineup – lowered the center of gravity, and added an all-new sports suspension.

In terms of styling, the car features a unique soft top, extra-low side windows, and two rear deck lid bulges, which are meant to resemble the ones used on the Carrera GT. Other design touches include modified front and rear bumpers, 10-spoke alloy wheels, and revised air intakes. Inside, the roadster boasts an exclusive interior with sport seats, ‘Boxster Spyder’ branded scuff plates, and a body-color centre console.

Set to debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show, the Boxster Spyder will go on sale in February 2010 for EUR53 100 (EUR63 404 in Germany, after a 19 percent VAT and country-specific features are applied). Pricing and availability for the South African market has not been confirmed.

Press Release (Click to expand)

Source: Porsche

Wolf Racing announced the launch of a power pack for the new Ford Focus RS. German Touring Car Masters (DTM) diehards should recognise the tuner’s name; it appeared on the dominating Cosworth RS 500 over two decades ago and caused some commotion in Group N rallying.

Known as the Wolf RS 360, the Wolf tuned Focus RS is powered by the standard engine that has been modified to output 265 kW and 559 N.m of torque at 3 100 rpm. This represents a 18.5% increase in power and 27% increase torque over the standard model.

The Wolf RS 360 also includes a multi-disc differential lock and a new coilover suspension with lowering springs, which ‘drop’ the car by 30 mm. The car runs on 20-inch wheels and the can be fitted with various design enhancements, including a selecting of decals and aluminum pedals. The Wolf Ford Focus RS will be launched at the Essen Motor Show that starts on November 28th and ends on December 6th, 2009.

Press Release (Click to expand)

Adapted from ZerCustoms

This special creation from French custom car and motorcycle builder, Lazareth, is one heck of a creation. Evidently inspired by the competition Renault Megane Trophy and the Clio V6 Renault Sport, the Twingo Trophy is one of those cars that you’d be tempted to take for a spin even though it doesn’t make much sense.

The French tuner took a first-generation Twingo supermini and turned it into a pocket-rocket by throwing out the tiny, front-mounted standard engine and installing a Range-Rover-sourced 3,5-litre V8 with 134 kWbehind the front seats. Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Of course, transforming a city car into a mid-engined sports car isn’t that simple. Lazareth had to modify the Twingo’s chassis by adding a rear tubular subframe, replacing the suspension and brakes, as well as widening the front and rear tracks, just to mention a few of the changes. It also rides on 18-inch Toora alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama slick tyres, with sizes of 230 up front and 320 at the back.

Other highlights include the matte gray exterior paint finish and the ‘sported-up’ interior that boasts a pair of MOMO bucket seats, sport steering wheel and new digital gauges. And the price for all this? Well, according to Lazareth’s site, the Twingo Trophy V8 could be yours for EUR70 000 or about R800 000. Who said that big boys’ toys are cheap?!

Adapted from CarScoop

The biggest change to the 2010 Lexus IS F, is the addition of a new, compact mechanical Torsen LSD (Limited Slip Differential) that supersedes the previous Brake LSD function unit.

The change has seen the IS F gain a two second improvement in lap times around Japan’s Fuji Speedway and joins other convenience and design feature upgrades in face-lifting the model. The Torsen LSD redistributes the torque that is lost when a wheel loses traction during cornering, without limiting engine output. New differential oil has also seen the unit perform more smoothly as well as making it quieter.

IS F upgrades also include a revised satellite navigation unit with improved route guidance, functionality and map view. The 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system has been upgraded too and now features a new USB input for iPods along with new software to allow selection of tracks via the vehicle’s touch screen navigation unit.

Interior revisions see the inclusion of folding rear head restraints, F logo on the ultra-thin card key, and a new steering wheel and centre cluster design. The new steering wheel has added colour trim in the lower section of the rim and new “overcast” stitching pattern to provide a neater finish to the leather wrapped steering wheel. The centre cluster has improved audio switches, as well as a new facia around the navigation system and air conditioning unit.

In addition, Lexus has redesigned the moonroof controls with seesaw-type switches in lieu of a dial-type switch, for greater ease of use.

Adapted from CarAdvice

Password JDM are a company who specialise in carbon and kevlar composite parts for Honda’s and Nissan’s, but they’re not only limited to that. Utilising their same experiences and technologies, they established Tecnocraft, a division of Password JDM responsible for the development and manufacture of composite parts that cater to high-end cars such as Lamborghini’s.

Their current demo car is a Lamborghini Gallardo that has been entirely carbonised with their extensive line of products for the car. In the engine bay, the hatch assembly, panels, and intake assembly are all replaced by dry carbon parts. The hood and inner hood bin are constructed out of dry carbon as well. The car is equipped with dry carbon front splitter, underbody panels, diffuser, and adjustable wing assembly to provide additionally stability at high speeds. As a result, the Gallardo was able to shed roughly 158 kg’s to make it even lighter than the Superleggera by 58 kg’s. That is very impressive to say the least – we’ll take one!

Adapted from BespokeAdventures

Tuning firm TechArt has released two new styling kits for the latest Porsche Boxster and Cayman models. The TÜV certified body kits include a new front spoiler, body coloured side sills, revised diffusers on the rear bumpers, LED daytime running lights, as well as some carbon fibre interior touches.

TechArt performed extensive wind tunnel testing to ensure optimum aerodynamics from their new body kits. Developments from the testing helped to increase the downforce at multiple points on the car, including the rear, where a rigid rear spoiler was added to both models, although the rear wing fitted to the Cayman in the photos is anything but subtle.

Additional upgrades from TechArt include either 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels and a set of stiffer, adjustable sport springs, which can be lowered by up to 30 mm thanks to TechArt’s Vario and VarioPlus threaded suspension chassis. The light intensity of the LED daytime running lights automatically adjusts to the selected driving lights setting. Moreover, the LED’s dim automatically when either of the turning signals is active, to provide better contrast for improved visibility.

Inside, buyers have a choice of two TechArt carbon interior trim levels. Additional accessories like aluminum sport pedals, a 3-spoke sport steering wheel, and/or illuminated entry sills with individual logos round out the available options for the interior.

No word on pricing from TechArt but we assume it’s a case of “If you have to ask…”.

Press Release (Click to expand)