2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 gets a facelift Geneva Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz has released their face lifted C63 AMG to the public at the Geneva Motor Show. The facelift comes with an aggressive new front fascia, an aluminum hood, a single-bar grille and new headlights with LED indicators.

Other highlights include a modified rear bumper with black diffuser insert, revised tail lights, and restyled 18 inch alloy wheels. In the interior you’ll find a new dashboard, an upgraded instrument cluster, dark aluminum trim and piano black accents. As a nice extra all Mercedes C63 AMG models are outfitted with an improved suspension that features an anti-roll bar and revised spring rates.

Most important is the power source, which will be the naturally-aspirated 6.3 liter V8 with 451hp and 600Nm of torque. The power is derived to the road via a seven-speed SpeedShift MCT transmission which enables the sedan to sprint from standstill to 0-60mph in just 4.5 seconds. The top speed is 155mph governed. To see more pics go to GT Spirit.

Audi Makes new Quattro Concept

Audi has redesigned the old Quattro, for its 30th birthday. It has all wheel drive which is nice, it's a 408hp, turbocharged inline-5 engine. With almost an all carbon fiber interior, when and if this car comes out, it will be nice to see an old legend on the street, and the real meaning of Audi.

Matte Black BMW in Abu Dubai

This matte black BMW Lumma CLR 500 RS was spotted in Abu Dhabi, and it looks much better than the orange version revealed by Lumma last year. Like yesterday’s BMW X6, some things just look much better in matte black.

The CLR 500 RS is powered by V10 engine that delivers 560 HP. Top speed is 203 mph.

New: Volkswagen Golf GTI

Since the debut of the first and the discontinuation of the fifth generation, more than 1.7 million buyers made the GTI to the world’s bestseller. Now the new GTI is at the ready: at the Paris Motor Show (4th to 19th October 2008) Volkswagen will be demonstrating the design study of the new Golf GTI at its world premiere.

The GTI suspension with a new electronic limited-slip diff (XDS) defines curves and traction in a completely new way. A GTI with a top speed of 240 km/h that with its 155 kW / 210 bhp strong turbocharged engine is even more fun and, on average, only uses 7.5 litres.

The sixth generation Golf GTI will go into series production in the spring of 2009 – as usual with a unique connection between sporty suspension and agile engine. The engine develops already at 1,800 rpm a maximum torque of 280 newton metres. The sprint from 0 to 60mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds. A stand-off between wind resistance and output occurs only just at 240 km/h.

Lowered by 22 millimetres and equipped with a new sports suspension, the springs, shock absorbers and rear anti-roll bars of the design study have been completely reworked. Furthermore, the optional adaptive chassis control DCC feature will also be available for the future GTI.

"We wanted a purposefully clear GTI design. A car that has power but also style," summarises the Volkswagen AG's chief designer Walter de’Silva. The design study of the sixth generation presented in Paris blends in both style elements of the GTI icons. Details like the typical honeycombed radiator grill and the V-shaped bonnet, stretching over the head lights, contribute to the GTI V. The clean and horizontal structure clearly originates from the GTI I. Because of the styling as well as the underlining horizontal graphic of the front section the Golf GTI design study appears visually wider (1.78 meter), lower (1.47 meter) and more dynamic than any other car in its class.

The Raging Bull: Underground Racing Gallardo

Underground Racing are a North Carolina-based tuning company specialising in twin-turbo conversions. This is their 1025bhp Gallardo.

Yep. That's 1025 brake horsepowers.

We're not quite sure what to say, if we're honest. The sheer insanity of the concept and the brilliance of the execution has rendered us pretty much speechless.

Sure, it runs on race fuel but from what we understand the Gallardo keeps its 4wd and stability systems - although we'd imagine the ESP is a little overworked. The car runs a standard 6-speed gearbox.

We'd run the car without the rear bodywork, if the law allowed. It's the ultimate in automotive mooning.

2009 Subaru Impreza WRX: Sorry About Last Year's 'WRX'

The 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX is a bold statement from the Japanese sport compact maker: We admit our mistakes with the WRX, and we at Subaru are listening to you.

When Subaru unleashed a completely redesigned Impreza and Impreza WRX line for 2008, the reaction from their cult-like following, the Subaru tuner community and the general public was mixed at best. The new Subaru WRX, with its softened suspension, better road manners and smoother power delivery was an attempt to bring in fresh faces to the sport compact scene, those who thought the loud, snarly, outgoing 2007 Impreza WRX was for high school kids only.
Sounds great, right? Not so fast. The die-hard Subaru WRX community gave it a big thumbs down. They did not want a budget BMW, or a glorified Toyota Corolla.

They wanted the evolution of the legendary Impreza line they knew and loved. They saw the old Subaru WRX as much more than the sum of its parts, a ready-and-willing canvass for the thousands of aftermarket parts Subaru AWD sport compacts tend to attract. What they got was a larger, bulkier Impreza chassis that was called all kinds of bad names by the automotive press. The word "Corolla" comes to mind.

The Subaru Impreza sport compact sedan in all its variations, ever in competition with AWD offerings from Mitsubishi and losing market share to the likes of the Mazdaspeed 3 and Volkswagen GTI, needed a shot in the arm. Reaching into the Subaru parts bin, the Japanese company that has become synonomous with all-wheel-drive has given the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX a larger turbocharger and an entirely redesigned Subaru exhaust system, resulting in a huge boost in horsepower for a total of 265.

The other area of attention is in the handling department. Last year's Subaru WRX couldn't even manage the same skidpad and laptime numbers as its predecessor, so for 2009 the Impreza WRX has received some much-needed handling tweaks. The Subaru parts department has made big increases in the rigidity of the suspension, with spring rates tightning up by large factors. Larger stabilizer bars should give the 2009 WRX better composure on the road and on the track.

An all-new standard Subaru WRX bodykit rounds out the package, and while it still looks a little bloated, the new 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX should do more to please fans of the most respected name in AWD sport compacts.

The official Subaru press release, reprinted in its entirety below, makes countless references to each and every way in which the 2009 Impreza WRX is better than the outgoing model. At least they've learned from their mistakes...

Engine

Power bhp: 265

Torque lb-ft: 244

Type: Turbo Intercooled Engine

Source: Rsports Cars

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart: One Less Reason to Look at the WRX

Filling a performance hole left between the ho-hum 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer and the scorching 2009 Lancer Evolution, the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart offers desirable specs in the performance department at a price that fills the sweet spot in Mitsubishi’s lineup and poses the AWD small sports sedan as a direct competitor to the new 2009 Subaru WRX.

The Lancer Ralliart’s engine has quite a pedigree, being the same basic 2.0 liter block and head used in the Lancer Evolution, though detuned, with less boost, for application in the Ralliart. An interesting inclusion at this price point is Mitsubishi’s TC-SST transmission, a paddle shifted, dual clutch sequential manual.

The styling is more Lancer Evolution than Lancer throwaway econobox, and manages to maintain the snarling look of the Evo while staying subdued enough to appeal to compact sports car fans who may be turned off by oversize hood scoops and picnic table rear spoilers.

This is not to say that the Lancer Ralliart is conservative in any way. Think of it as the Lancer Evolution on a diet: plenty of performance, chiseled and eye-catching design, and a price and driving dynamics that anyone can appreciate.

Engine
Power bhp: 237

Torque lb-ft: 253
Type: Turbocharged Inline 4 Cylinder

Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 5.5 Seconds
Fuel Consumption : 17 city /25 highway mpg

Volkswagen Touareg R50 - a Review From Down Under

Volkswagen’s strident motto clearly and eloquently defines their love of the car, though when it comes to the ‘R’ designated models, one must surmise that this is no ordinary love. This is lustful and unadulterated passion.

Having driven the thrilling R32 earlier this year I was impressed at just how well balanced and centred a car it had become above that of the already outstanding Golf. Thanks to some brilliant engineering work the enhanced model is truly something to behold.

Not only had shoe-horning a 3.2 litre V6 in to the small hatch back made it go harder, but every other mechanical feature of the car complimented the package so well as a whole that parting with such splendid company was a very hard process indeed.

Imagine then applying that level of enthusiasm and exhilaration to Volkswagen’s über four wheel drive, the Touareg. Now, that time has come.

Engine

Power bhp: 345

Torque lb-ft: 627

Type: Turbo-Diesel V10

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph: 6.7 Seconds

Top Speed: 146 mph

Full Review: Car Advice

Relentless Show Stopping FX35

When the Infiniti FX35 first made it's debut in 2003, it made quite an entrance. It was the fastest SUV in production. Like most Nissan's it inherits many of it's family generics from the 350z and G35. Which made it useless off road, whimpering SUV? Nope not really the FX35 is something else on the black top.

Viet Nguyen our boy from California, decided to make his FX35 a better than before SUV that packed a punch into the hot import nights. First of all he would put on some aftermarket rims, and later on the FX35 was supercharged by JWT. He went down to California to test his project at the local drag races. He landed 13.3 at 103 mph for the quarter mile. Many people would be satisfied with these results but no Viet, he went for more.

The first things to go were the S2 cams from JWT and in went C2 cams instead. The turbos were swapped out next, as a pair of GT28 turbos would be more capable of handling higher boost pressure. The new cams were working the valves with JWT springs and the valves themselves had just received a three-angle job. The rest of the head was ported and polished. The exhaust is routed through JWT 700BB manifolds into 2.5-inch test pipes from APS and exits through a GReddy Evo TT 70mm system. The engine internals were reinforced with forged Pauter rods and Arias pistons and rings. Fuel was brought from the stock tank with a Walbro 255lph pump and sent to Nismo 555cc/min injectors. HKS handled the ignition with their Twin Power DLI-II system. In the meantime, the internals of the auto transmission were upgraded to a Level 10 kit, the torque converter was swapped for one from Edge Racing and ATS Carbonetics handled the differential. Finally, a Rotora brake kit helps bring the vehicle to a stop, thanks in part to massive 15-inch front discs and 14-inch rears.

The car was now putting down over 500 hp to the wheels. It made a significant difference at the strip as well, with his best run now being a 12.7 at 110 mph-seriously fast for a vehicle like this.

With all this power you think he would keep this car in the garage right? Nope Viet uses this car as a daily commuter and drives up to 100 miles a day. This car is definitely a show stopper, head turner, rice eater for sure.

Porsche Wallpaper - Cayenne Turbo

Porsche Cayenne Turbo tuned by Techart Magnum. High Resolution just click on the pictures. Source: http://www.tuninglinx.com/

2006 Gumpert Apollo

Once the son of the god of war Zeus, responsible for the victory and the template for masculine beauty, he is now the namesake of the breathtakingly uncompromising super sports car that combines aesthetics and function like no other.

The Gumpert Apollo is the perfect synthesis of a road vehicle and track car. It evokes passion and driving pleasure beyond all expectations. With 650 bhp, 224 mph top speed and acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in just 3 seconds, you would have to go a long way to find an alternative to Apollo. The complete package is available in a cost-benefit ratio that cannot be matched in this exclusive vehicle class. As a pure high-performance sports car with racing qualities that is also approved for use on the road, the Gumpert Apollo sets new standards.

Engine

Power bhp: 650

Torque lb-ft: 627

Type: Bi-turbo v8

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph: 3 seconds

Top Speed: 224 mph