BMW 3 Series Facelift - Best Shots yet

Up until now the camoflaged BMW 3-series prototypes have hidden the small details that have been revisited by the Bavarian designers on the current generation series. But now these latest spy shots coming out from Germany reveal some of these features for the first time...
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Lewis Does LA... in TechArt Style

Lewis who? He drives a race car? Oh, in NASCAR? ... and you know how the rest of the conversation goes. Somehow, Formula One has yet to penetrate the American bubble despite increasing popularity in recent years, thanks to Speed Channel. So, if you're an F1 star, what better place to escape the hounding press and paparazzi, especially after just winning the Monaco GP, than a place where you're an unknown, yet still able to tool around in a TechArt 997 without anyone noticing - welcome to Los Angeles.

As Lewis' newest cheerleader, as seen at the awards ceremony in Monaco, perhaps it was Pee Diddy's influence for the trip to the states, but most likely a pit stop (no pun intended) on the way to the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Nonetheless, Lewis got himself a sweet ride during his visit thanks to U.S. TechArt importer Claus Ettensberger Corp. (aka CEC).
via Jalopnik.com


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AG Excaliber from Lithuania with 30-inch Wheels!

Lithuanian body man, Audronis Gestautas, has created a vehicle like no other. Under his own brand name, the AG Excalibur uses the body and underpinnings of a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. Audronis sent us initial images of the finished product today but he was quite shy with the details. After a little due diligence, we found more photos which chronicle the build process. Surely, Excalibur is not to the taste of everyone, but there is much to be appreciated with all of the hard work and craftsmanship Audronis has put in.

Besides the bucket loads of PU foam and the insanely massive 24-inch chrome wheels up front and 30-inch in the rear, the interior is littered with Swarovski crystals. Audronis states, “one button is one big crystal, not like others who use plastic button glue with small crystals. ” Also, the gearshift lever is a huge 25cm crystal.

We will have to wait until the summer to get the full look. We'll be ready with sunglasses in hand.

[05/30/2008 CORRECTION: wheels were incorrectly reported as 30-inch front and 40-inch rear]via:WorldCarFans

Mugen Honda Freed: Jazz/Fit Minivan Sport Package

As with every model that comes out of Honda’s factory, the Japanese carmaker’s official tuning arm has presented a sport package for the Freed that was officially introduced on May 29 (see details here). Mugen’s offerings for the minivan version of the Fit / Jazz hatch include a full bodykit, silver or dark 16-inch alloy wheels and a sport silencer along with a more powerful brake system. –Image gallery after the jump

Audi TT Tuned by PPI

PPI Automotive Design is German based tuner that specializes on Audi models. Their latest tuning package called “PS” revolves around the new Audi TT featuring a series of upgrades to the body, the 2.0 TFSI engine, the suspension and the interior.

The company’s bodykit includes front and rear spoilers, side sills and carbon-fibre trim components for the door mirror housing and the tail panel fascias combined with black 19-inch alloys in Michelin Pilot Sport2 size 235/35 ZR19 tires. Inside, apart from the new sport steering wheel, PPI offers a variety of upgrades including special decorative trims and tailor-made leather upholsteries. –Continued

At the heart of PPI's tuning suite is the performance kit I for the TT’s base 2.0-liter Turbo FSI engine that’s boosts output to 245Hp at 5.100 rpm. and 366 Nm of torque between 1.800 and 5.000 rpm. PPI says that with the performance kit, the TT 2.0 TFSI sprints from zero to 100km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds to 100 km/h, or 0,3 second faster than its production counterpart. The coupe’s top speed is electonicaly governed at 250 km/h or 155 mph.

Other improvements include the sport suspension that lowers the car's centre of gravity by 30 mm while a sports braking system with larger discs and multi-piston brake callipers is undergoing trials and it will be offered soon

Via: Motorpasion

2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Subtle Changes and new 5.5 V8

The never aging Mercedes-Benz G-Class that has been with us since 1979 (!) has been enhanced with a new V8 engine along with a few minor design and equipment changes. Leaving the restyled three-fin grille, the new alloys and the more user-friendly telematics technology aside, the 2009 G-Class is offered with a new 5.5-liter V8 engine that produces 388 hp and 530 Nm of maximum torque.

This new V8 motor offers the G500 sportscar-like performance, with the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint completed in a mere 5.9 seconds. Just be sure there’s a gas station somewhere around whenever you decide to take full advantage of the V8’s power… -Pics after the jump

Maserati MC12 by Edo Competition

Following on from Edo Competition's Enzo Ferrari we reported on yesterday, we can now bring you the Maserati MC12. The famed supercar tuner has tackled the MC12 on numerous occasions in the past including the 755hp MC12 Corsa, 800hp MC12 XX and the 700hp MC12 R therefore it comes as no shock to see yet another version which it being labelled as just a plain old MC12 this time.

The factory MC12 is based on the same chassis as the Ferrari Enzo but due to the extra weight the Maserati version is carrying, performance figures come in slightly lower than the prancing horse version. Edo looks to change this in their version by reducing the MC12's dry weight by 100kg whilst boosting the engine output up to 700hp bringing the performance figures up to the same level as the Edo Enzo with a 0-100km/h time of 3.5seconds and a top speed of 370km/h.

The FXX once again provides the inspiration for the MC12, but whereas the Edo where clever enough to leave the Enzo styling alone, the MC12 does benefit from a few exterior modifcations including a new livery and headlight covers.

Full Specifications

Engine

• Engine V12
• Power est. 700 hp (514 kW) at 8200 rpm
• Max. torque est. 715 Nm (527 ft-lb) at 5800 rpm

Performance

• Top speed > 370 km/h (230 mph)
• 0 – 100 km/h (0 – 62 mph) est. 3.5s
• 0 – 200 km/h (0 – 124 mph) est. 9.5s
• 0 – 300 km/h (0 – 186 mph) est. 22.0s

Features

• Power increase of 70 horsepower thanks to new exhaust headers like on the Ferrari FXX, highflow catalytic converter, performance muffler, modified intake system, new carbon fiber airbox like on the Maserati MC12 Corsa, high-flow air filters and ECU recalibration
• Stainless steel muffler with adjustable remote-controlled butterfly-valve, new exhaust tips
• Exhaust sound level adjustable at the push of a button
• High-performance ceramic composite brake system with 396 mm (15.6 in.) front rotors and 360 mm (14.2in.) rear rotors, special brake pads front and rear
• Wheels can be custom-painted on request
• Tire pressure monitoring system displaying air pressure and tire temperature for each wheel
• Makrolon headlight covers
• Appearance modifications, for example different exterior color
• Sport suspension for the road with adjustable compression and rebound damping like on the FIA GT MC12. Nose lift functionality is retained.
• Air intakes in carbon fiber
• Weight reduction of 100 kg (220 lb)!!
• Special lightweight wheels with Michelin tires: front: 10 x 19 with 265/35 ZR 19 and rear: 13 x 20 with 335/30 ZR 20
• New high-performance clutch. Extremely lightweight. Two different friction compounds selectable (strada/pista)
• New rear wing, adjustable
• New transmission control unit. Same shift times as on the Maserati MC12 Corsa