Car-tunning & News: August 2013

Peugeot 308 R Concept leaked

Arriving at IAA next month

The first images with the Peugeot 308 R Concept have surfaced the web, ahead of a public debut scheduled for September at Frankfurt Motor Show.

Details are not available at this moment but the attached official photos show a more aggressive two-tone red & black 308 wearing a beefy body kit with larger bumpers, side skirts, lowered ride height and massive double-spoke alloy wheels. The back of the 308 R Concept is home to a dual exhaust arrangement and a roof-mounted spoiler.

JOHANNESBURG: A 29-year-old Indian-origin woman from South Africa is set to join the team of specialist engineers building the world's fastest car in the UK.

Beverly Singh, a mechanical engineer from Port Elizabeth, will help design the Bloodhound supersonic car, currently being built by a team of about 30 engineers in a high-tech centre near Bristol.

A San Diego man just did to support what he considers to be a good cause.

Would you pay $398,000 for a fancy new Ford Mustang? James Slattery of San Diego did, just as he has done before.

Slattery shelled out Roll-Royce-style dough for the Mustang dressed up to look like one of the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team fighters all because it's for what he considers a good cause.

Proceeds are going to support the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles program, which has provided introductory flights to 1.6 million kids since 1992.

Reports following $258m investment in taxi-hailing app Uber by the search giant,

Although Google’s self-driving cars have been a technological success the search-giant has had difficulty finding a method of getting the vehicles into mainstream use. However, new reports now suggest that the company is considering using their vehicles to create an autonomous ‘robo-taxi’ service.

TOKYO—Subaru has a problem any auto maker would love to have. It's selling too many cars.

Subaru-brand sales in the U.S. are up 27% in the first seven months of 2013, more than three times the market overall. The auto maker, owned by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., 7270.TO +0.54% is on track for a sixth-straight year of sales gains, a period that includes the 2009 financial crisis that bankrupted two of Detroit's Big Three.

BMW has announced the recall of more than 1,500 2009-2010 BMW X5 diesel models to correct a fuel filter heater issue.

The xDrive35d models, manufactured from June 13, 2009 through November 9, 2009, could be affected by an issue that causes the filter heater to remain on and overheat.

The fuel filter heater is used to warm up the diesel fuel in low temperature conditions. Diesel becomes more viscous in cold conditions, potentially clogging up fuel pumps and lines.

The official EPA fuel economy numbers are in for BMW's new diesel-powered sedan, and they're impressive.

The 2014 328d gets 32 miles per gallon in the city and a whopping 45 mpg on the highway, for a combined 37 mpg.

In comparison, the teeny tiny 2013 Smart for two coupe gets 34 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, for a combined 36 mpg.

Ford spent nine months justifying the 47-mpg fuel-efficiency rating of its new 2013 C-Max Hybrid--before it bowed to public pressure and lowered it to 43 mpg late Thursday.While its three latest hybrid models continue to sell well, the latest reversal draws attention to Ford's challenges when the real-world gas mileage of its cars doesn't live up to their EPA ratings.

Diesel engines, long reputed for being loud and dirty, are making waves in the U.S. Although they accounted for just 3.2% of U.S. auto sales in 2012 (about the same as hybrids), the number of diesels on American roads will double by 2018, according to research firm LMC Automotive.

To cost about 75,000 USD

Saleen has introduced the 2014 George Follmer Edition Mustang at Laguna Seca this weekend as part of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

When Saleen teased a new model several days ago we assumed it was the already confirmed supercar but we were wrong as the car in question is a custom Mustang which paves the way for the Saleen Heritage Collection.

GMC aims to expand its awareness of its new premiership pickup truck, the 2014 Sierra Denali, by featuring it during ESPN’s new “Monday Night Football” launch video open that debuts on September 9, 2013. Officially titled ”ESPN Monday Night Football Launch Engineered by GMC,” the opening theme was re-created this year by filmmaker/producer Peter Berg of Pony Show Entertainment. GMC vehicles are also featured in the latest installment of the Madden NFL video game series.

New York - While competitors, Mitsubishi still weighing the project to continue their sports sedan Lancer Evolution, Subaru has a step further by showing that staying WRX Concept is ready to continue the glory Impreza WRX preferred speed enthusiast.

By the Japanese manufacturer, WRX Concept which was introduced this week to adopt a body style that was nicknamed "four-door coupe" look more aggressive than the sedan and hatchback versions as today.

A few months ago we told you about the lowest mileage Mustang Boss 429 on the planet going up for auction. It was an incredible example of the ultimate Mustang muscle car, extensively restored with just 97 miles on the odometer. Now we have yet another impressive Boss 429 set to cross the block, this time at Mecum’s Monterey auction in just a few weeks. While this particular Boss 429 has a few more miles (902 to be exact), it’s amazingly still in absolute original condition.

At least for now, but BMW is not shutting the door completely.

Some automakers have a bad habit of revealing an absolutely drop dead gorgeous concept that, with just a bit of tweaking, could wind up being a production car. Thing is, these concepts often remain strictly "design studies." One example of this is the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe that was unveiled last May at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. At the time, rumors hinted it was the basis for a new 8 Series and everyone got excited. BMW, however, remained mostly silent and today it looks like we’ve finally got our answer.

German tuner reveals programs for pair of British supercars.

It hasn’t taken long for German tuner Wheelsandmore to create another upgrade program for the McLaren MP4 Spider following its initial effort back in May, releasing what it has dubbed the “British Open” kit alongside its “Summerheat” project for the Aston Martin DBS Volante. Both drop-top British supercars receive a set of 6Sporz2 alloys – 20/21 inches front/rear for the McLaren, and 21 inches in matte black for the Aston.

Crash diets may be a fad during bikini season, but muscle cars have always been able to avoid such concerns. Enter modern engineering and the EPA with its pesky modern fuel economy requirements. Both seem to be weighing on the 2015 Ford (NYSE:F) Mustang. Instead of bulking up and going bigger, the 2015 will slim down some 400 pounds, according to Edmunds. Maybe 50 really is the new 30 for Ford’s reigning track burner.

Honda's got a lot of riding on the upcoming 2015 NSX hybrid (which will be sold in the US as an Acura). When it launched in 1990, the iconic first generation NSX took the sports car market by storm with an impressive (and affordable) combination of performance, comfort, design and build quality.

If you ever find yourself driving through the suburbs of Portland you might be so lucky to catch a glimpse of James Pepion's daily driven beauty of an STI. From its slammed-out stance to the flashy white Work XD9's in 18x10 +18, it is sure to lay claim to your attention. Upon further investigation, you start to notice subtle features like the factory sunroof, leather seats, and black Brembo brake calipers.

This is definitely not the news we wanted to hear. Prepare to be disappointed. Just yesterday Subaru released a few teaser images of the supposed upcoming BRZ STI. "Purity of Handling" was how the automaker described it. We got excited and so did just about everyone else. Thing is, that BRZ STI is not a true STI. No, it’s just the BRZ tS. What’s the tS you’re asking yourself? It’s a BRZ sans turbo or any extra power of any sorts; just some body modifications and suspension upgrades that the eventual BRZ STI will also have.

Nearly four years after it appeared in concept form, the production BMW i8 supercar will officially debut at Frankfurt next month.

The next supercar reveal is upon us, and it will happen at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. That new supercar will be the BMW i8, a hybrid vehicle that will certainly be more appealing than its smaller sibling, the i3 hatchback. There have been numerous spy shots of i8 test mules on the road over the past year, and it’s clear the final production version won’t look all that much different than the concept. Believe it or not, that concept, officially called the Vision EfficientDynamics concept, premiered almost four years ago.

The guys over at Vorsteiner recently gave the MP4-12C a dose of improved exterior styling.

The McLaren MP4-12C doesn’t have quite the beautiful styling as its arch rival, the Ferrari 458 Italia, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not a thrilling supercar. The guys over at California-based Vorsteiner also felt the same regarding the MP4-12C’s styling, so they decided to cook up a new body kit in order to give the car an added dose of adrenaline. The result is the MP4-VX. They started things off by redesigning the front end with a restyled carbon fiber front bumper and splitter.

Even classy girls need a good ride every now and then.

We’ve seen a lot of cool street racing videos from the guys at 1320video in the recent past. This one is a bit less daring and a bit less unique, but there’s still plenty to like about it. For it, they put Hanna, a girl who had never been in a particularly fast car, into the passenger seat of a 900 horsepower 3Dx Evo.

But it wasn't because Pontiac was killed with an ax.There was a time, albeit short, when it looked as if Pontiac was on the verge of a major comeback. It started with the fourth-generation GTO that launched in 2004, but lasted only until 2006. And yes, it was based on a Holden-developed RWD platform that was sold Down Under as the Monaro. That GTO wasn’t perfect but it was a solid first step to revive Pontiac. The G8 came along in 2008 and it was magnificent. So magnificent in fact that GM was serious about slicing the rear doors off it, and naming the new coupe GTO.

More power and added styles comes to Audi's performance wagon thanks to the guys at Senner Tuning.We’ve long been fans of high-performance wagons although they’re relatively few in number. What’s worse is that they’re not strong sellers in the US. Wagons in general have been long replaced by the SUV and CUV amongst America’s soccer moms. But Europe is a different story and wagons of all sorts continue to sell well. And now German aftermarket tuner has turned its attention to the diesel-powered Audi A6 Avant.

Turns out Ford and Mountune give a shit about US enthusiasts after all.

For years many US enthusiasts complained – and rightly so – that automaker and/or their official tuning partners were focusing all of their attention in the Euro market. In addition, many of the best and most affordable performance cars were only available to Old World buyers. The new Ford Focus ST and Fiesta ST are proof that’s no longer the case. And to make life even better, Ford’s official aftermarket tuning partner, Mountune, has just announced that’ll soon set up shop in the New World as well.

The Mercedes SL 65 AMG with 588 kW / 800 hp of power, 1,420 Nm of torque and a top speed of 350 km/h

BRABUS 800 Roadster - based on the Mercedes SL 65 AMG, BRABUS builds the world's most powerful roadster. The two-seater is powered by a 12-cylinder Biturbo engine uprated by BRABUS T65 RS tuning. It produces 588 kW / 800 hp (788 bhp) of power and a peak torque of 1,420 Nm. A sprint time of 3.7 seconds from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) and of 9.8 seconds to 200 km/h (124 mph) are impressive testaments to the car's special status that is further bolstered by an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). The exclusive equipment features also include BRABUS carbon-fiber bodywork components designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, custom-tailored BRABUS wheels with diameters up to 20 inches and exclusive options for the cockpit.

Powerful, fast, individual and exclusive: concurrent with the sales release of the new Mercedes S-Class, BRABUS presents an extensive refinement program for the luxury sedan from Stuttgart. In a first step there will be performance kits for the eight-cylinder models that deliver up to 537 kW / 730 hp (720 bhp) of power, 1,065 Nm (785 lb-ft) of torque, a top speed up to 325 km/h (202 mph), tailor-made wheels with diameters up to 21 inches, and exclusive options for the interior. An aerodynamic-enhancement program with sporty-elegant design for the W 222 model series lends the vehicle an even more dynamic appearance. All components are backed by the one-of-a-kind BRABUS Tuning Warranty of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers / 62,000 miles.

Carbon fibre everywhere the eye can see: The ultralight and high-strength material of carbon fibre finds ample uses even in the series version of the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. MANSORY purposefully continued to use it in the completely reworked MANSORY CARBONADO as the main component of all its bodywork components. Every single element of the MANSORY aerodynamic design is made in prepreg autoclave process in perfect surface quality and precision-built into the vehicle. For the first time in the world a carbon fibre weave with a stealth-look is being used, which is being exclusively deployed by MANSORY in vehicle construction.

Well, you are fully allowed to be a wee bit self-confident out there on the road. Especially if you are driving an ABT RS5-R, with all the ABT Sportsline experience behind it. “The RS5-R combines the results of all our motorsports and roadworthiness competences and skills. This car reflects all our know-how, down to the last detail”, says Hans-Jurgen Abt, the CEO of ABT Sportsline. And the result is indeed quite something: The exhaust system with its side pipes in front of the rear wheels lends the 470 hp (346 kW) eight-cylinder engine the right sound. The racer reaches 100 km/h in only 4.3 seconds and its top speed is limited... at 303 km/h.

BMW and Pininfarina are two of the most tradition-swathed names in the motoring world. Each is a byword for cutting-edge technology, style, dynamics and aesthetics. With the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, the two time-honoured companies are unveiling the outcome of their first collaboration at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013. The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé is a one-off and represents the exclusive interpretation of a luxurious BMW Coupé as seen through the eyes of Pininfarina. Working in close consultation, the two design teams have created a new automotive persona brimming with character and ready to join the high-end luxury class – typically BMW while sporting the distinctive signature of Pininfarina.

HND-9 hints at direction of Hyundai’s next-generation luxury sports coupe
Special design projects strengthen Hyundai’s `Modern Premium’ image

Hyundai Motor Co., the fastest-growing car manufacturer by brand, today staged a world-premiere of the HND-9 at the Seoul Motor Show, its latest luxury sports coupe concept that illustrates the company’s future design direction.

“HND-9 will give customers a glimpse of Hyundai’s future luxury sports coupe models,” said Suk-Geun Oh, head of Hyundai’s Design Center in Namyang, Korea. “Representing an evolution of Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design philosophy, the rear-wheel drive sports coupe concept balances high performance with a sophisticated image.”

“The fastest, most agile, most responsive Land Rover ever”

New, modern interpretation of Range Rover Sport completes three-model Range Rover portfolio
Transformational on-road dynamics with world’s best all-terrain performance gives unrivalled breadth of capability
Impeccable composure and refinement delivering exceptional ride comfort
Superbly crafted, luxurious and more flexible interior with new 5+2 seating option
Weight saving of up to 420kg*, like for like TDV6 engine, brings agility and exceptional performance, with 15 percent CO2 reduction and greatly improved fuel economy
Features Range Rover premium chassis and lightweight aluminium architecture
Customer-focused technology package debuting Land Rover’s ‘connected car’ suite of technologies

The buzz word is “technology” when it comes to new car design. Therefore, all car manufactures are looking for ways to implement the latest technology into their most recent vehicle models, the Ford Motor Company is no exception. Of course, thinking creatively is not new to Ford. Henry Ford was a success in large part due to his out of the box thinking and innovative production methods. He first introduced moving assembly lines for creating vehicles in 1914, a method now known as “Fordism”. This may have been the single most major event in the auto industry that fueled the modern industrial era.

Track day motorcycle riding is getting bigger and bigger in the UK, with riders relishing the opportunity to really let their motorcycles rip around some of the cracking racetracks that the UK has to offer. And while you are probably in less immediate danger on the track than you are on the road; riders taking to the track for the first time should make sure that their kit is in the most tip-top of order. Leading Italian motorcycle safety equipment manufacturer Dainese has plenty of offer track bikers.

You can’t go wrong with a classic Mercedes.

Established as one of the best known – and oldest – automotive brands in the world, the Mercedes-Benz is the cream of the crop of German motoring.

The Mercedes’ superior build quality and apparent resistance to following motoring trends has made it the go-to choice for discerning motorists all over the world.

Bugatti is working on a grand finale before the Veyron replacement arrives and this grand finale is going to see the car’s top speed increased to 280 mph. Bugatti Veyron has announced that it is going to release a 1.500 horsepower car early next year.

Bugatti does not seem to hurry when it comes to get the model production ready but this may be a good thing, taking into consideration the fact that they have announced that this car is going to be “fantasy in terms of its performance”.

The Volvo XC90 is a great car, there’s no doubt about that. The only thing rather awkward about it is the vehicle’s outdated look, that’s all. The Swedish automaker seems to have noticed that and as a consequence, it has recently announced that the 2013 XC90 will go through a series of updates.

Nowadays the decision of getting a new luxury car it’s not the easiest thing considering the current financial scenery. More specifically, committing to financing a new luxury car can be rather risky and frightening. There are many things that can and do happen that stand in the way of making payments.

The Geneva Motor Show has opened its doors and Ferrari has already left everyone speechless. The LaFerrari model has officially been unveiled today after a long series of spy-shots, leaked photos and teasers. The overall design is simply breathtaking, with 4702mm in length, 1992mm width and a height of 1116mm, the vehicle is nothings short of a masterpiece on four wheels.

Here’s an interesting concept! This Electric BMW 3-Series E30 from 1984 has more to it than just a green funky paint work. Under the bonnet lies a powerful electric motor dubbed the bi-moto EV, that might make your jaw drop. The history of this car actually started with a blown engine on the racing track. The 19 year old, at the time, CEO of Rimac Automobili, decided to turn it into an Electric Vehicle. In time, Mate Rimac came up with five versions of this classic BMW.

The German tuners from CFC or CarFilmComponents decided to pimp out the Hummer H2 and released a tuning package that they claim to be pretty sexy. The car’s exterior is completely chromed out after the guys from CFC wrapped it in chrome vinyl and the exterior is complemented with tinted windows, a carbon wrap for the bonnet and some CFC stickers.

It is now official, the new BMW 4 Series Coupe is now ready to be released and it is going to be bought by a lot of drivers, taking into consideration its aspect and features. The new BMW 4 Series Coupe replaces the old BMW 3 Series Coupe and recently, BMW presented the new car’s full specs and photos.

The base 428i is going to be powered by a powerful 2.0 liter turbo four which is able to produce 240 horsepower and even 255 lb-ft of torque. The car can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. On the other hand the 435i will have a 3.0 turbo inline six which will be able to generate 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. This one can go from 0 to 60 mph in only 5.3 seconds.

Earlier this week, Honda has announced its plans to begin testing the 2015 Civic Type R on the Burgeoning track. Sources inside the company have confirmed the development of the vehicle to be right on track so far.

Even though there’s not too much info about the upcoming sports car, the Japanese automaker has revealed that the Civic Type R will use technologies adapted from the World Touring Car Championship Civic. Furthermore, in an interview for Auto Express, Honda’s UK Managing Director, Mr. Dave Hodgetts has mentioned that the car will have at least 265 HP – 198 kW with a strong chance of it going over 300 HP – 224 kW.

In 2012, the ninth generation of Honda Civic was released and unfortunately its price disappointed everybody. In 2013 they modified it in order to be more appreciated and they created a pretty exterior, satisfying suspension and a snazzy interior.

The new car looks classy and elegant, especially because of its black honeycomb grille and angled headlamps that make it refined and stylish. The body colored mirrors are also able to impress everybody and so are the door handles. If you choose the optional allow wheels then your car is going to look even more interesting.

Yes, you’ve read that correctly. Toyota is blowing mouthfuls of hope in the dices for the highly-anticipated Supra successor. The Japanese automaker has announced that the long awaited model will finally be launched by the end of 2017.

Given the fact that the vehicle won’t be available for the next four years, reliable information about it isn’t easy to come by. However, rumor has it that the model will be powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a hybrid system.

More and more automakers worldwide are adding hybrid models to their lineup and with today’s growing demand for such vehicles, you’d think that the one’s that have not or aren’t about to, are well on their way to peril. Subaru, on the other hand, is currently experiencing all-time sales records in the US, and as far as we know, none of its models feature hybrid technology.

The 2013 Scion xD was ranked as one of the most affordable small cars that was based on 52 published reviews and test drives. The xD is one of the many additions to the popular Scion family released by Toyota. The cars are quite popular among younger drivers aged 16 to 35 and are noted for their affordability and stylish exterior interior and high customization as well. Even though it’s a hatchback, the xD has a fresh, updated look that’s noted for its reliability, safety features and performance. So what else is it about the xD that makes it such a popular contender among hatchbacks and subcompact cars?

Peugeot has been particularly busy this month as it prepared itself for the Paris Motor Show where it will be presenting some of its new and updated production cars as well as some concept models. Among them we find the 2008 SUV and the Onyx and a refreshed version of the Peugeot RCZ Coupe.

The facelift for the RCZ Coupe comes two years after the two-door model went on sale in Europe.

Kia’s new K9 rear-wheel drive flagship will be named the “Quoris” for markets outside of South Korea. The new vehicle will go on sale in select countries worldwide, officials say, starting from the fourth quarter of 2012. I don’t know what “select countries” means for Kia’s officials but I bet they won’t sell any in North Korea.

Kia has presented the 2013 Optima Hybrid which, along with a few improvements, also showcases an upgraded powertrain. Similar to the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Kia’s Optima Hybrid features a stronger Hybrid Starter Generator, an upgraded lithium polymer battery and a more powerful electric motor that generates 47 HP – 35 kW.