New Cars Garage

One of the top ten fastest modified cars in the world is a Mercedes SL65 AMG tuned by Lorinser. At Nardo, Italy, the SL65 hit a top speed of 325 km/h. Lorinser will built only 50 units of it, so if you want to own one, you better hurry up.

The SL65 AMG is powered by a V12 biturbo-engine with a maximum output of 660 hp and maximum torque of 1013 Nm.

Lorinser gave the car a typical racing look to its car. It features: widened fenders and gaping air intakes on the flanks, acoustic exhaust system and integrated double pipes.

An updated version of the current model, the 2010 XJ’s wheelbase will remain virtually identical, so improvements in space will come from mounting the rear seats lower. Major updates will be made to the dashboard, with a facia modelled on the XF’s.

Under the hood there will be a revised version of the 3.0-litre V6 and th top model, R, will be powered by a 500bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8. Hybrid version is also in the work. All engines are mated to Jaguar’s latest six-speed automatic box, complete with steering wheel-mounted paddles. The XJ will also have a new damping system similar to Audi’s Magnetic Ride.

Maserati Kubang Concept
In the past there were rumors saying that Maserati will build an SUV based on the Kubang concept unveiled at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. If built the SUV was supposed to share the same platform with the future Alfa Romeo SUV. We suppose that a future Ferrari SUV will share the same platform with the production version of the Maserati Kubang.

The 2010 Ferrari SUV will be placed (regarding its dimensions) between the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X5, so this means it will have a length of approx 4.6 meters and will weight around 5000 lbs due to the use of high tech materials.

Under the bonnet of the 2010 Ferrari SUV there will be the same V12 engine used in the 599 GTB that develops 611 hp, but due to the bigger weight of the SVU, it is expected the maximum power to be somewhere arround 600 hp. It will hit a top speed of 186 mph and will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 5 seconds.

Source: Internal

Vector will unveil at Los Angeles Auto Show an ultra-super-exotic vehicle named WX-8 Hyper-Tech Performance Vehicle.
The Vector Avtech WX8 is powered by a transverse, supercharged, all aluminum, 7.0 Liter (427 cubic inch), port fuel injected, 16 valve high-performance V8 engine, with dual air to air intercoolers and twin sequential flow, side mounted radiators. The Supercharged engine has horsepower potential to 1200+hp. The normally aspirated version, is in the range of 600 to 700 hp. Vector claims the car can reach a top speed of 260-270 mph and makes the 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.

The all new aerodynamic high down-force WX3 body incorporates both hard edge and soft design features including: huge integrated inlet and exhaust ducts for heat exchangers, an extended tail with a high mounted, low drag symmetrical inverted high down-force airfoil wing spoiler that enhances high speed stability with aeroflaps.

The 2008 Vector A-WX8 is scheduled at a very limited number of units per year, with an anticipated sales, price to be determined by the Company and its dealer network.

Source: TopSpeed: Internal

Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR: the lowdown
As if the regular Dodge Viper, sorry, SRT10, wasn't hard enough, the Street and Racing Technology division at the Chrysler group's Detroit HQ have dreamed up a hardcore street-legal racing version. It's not for the faint-hearted, as you can tell from the angry body addenda and huge spoilers mounted on the already monstrous coupe.

The ACR bit of the name denotes it's an American Club Racer spec car - it's the first use of the badge on a Viper since 1999. So the huge 8.4-litre V10 has had work to its induction system to liberate a heady 600bhp and 560lb ft of twist. And Dodge claims to have stripped out some of the Viper's weight, to boost performance even further.

Delve into the spec and you'll notice some surprising figures. The ACR weighs in at a sturdy 1533kg - a scant 18kg lighter than standard. Hardly seems worth the bother of adding the costly carbonfibre rear wing and front splitter that keep the thing glued to the tarmac.

All is not lost, however. If you tick the necessary boxes, you can do without the stereo, boot carpets and noise insulation, saving a further 18kg. I have another idea: why not go on a diet yourself, it could potentially make a bigger difference.

But let's not quibble about the weight figures. The SRT10 ACR is monstrously fast, and is likely to be an even more hardcore drive, thanks to its grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres, uprated Brembo brakes and fully adjustable dampers and a stiffer front anti-roll bar.

The ACR will play centre stage at next week's Los Angeles Motor Show, but it'll sadly not be sold in the UK. Only Stateside buyers will have that pleasure, at the anticipated cost of $100,000.

Tim Pollard

Lamborghini will unveil a new monstrous, lightweight, rear-drive rocketship supercar late next year. Powered by a V12 engine the new monster will have even more power than the 650 hp Reventon.

The new model will be dubbed "SV", the new two-wheel drive Murcielago will be 100kg lighter than the LP640. It will loose the front differential and driveshafts saving more than 40kg.

The latter will become carbonfibre central; the inner door skins, the seat shells and the centre tunnel are all expected to be made from the stuff. The Murcielago SV will receive all-new forged and machined alloy rims, which will save at least 6kg per corner themselves

It will be powered by a 6.5-litre V12 engine that will develop around 680bhp and 516 lbs-ft peak of torque. It will come as standard with the E-Gear transmission.

Source: TopSpeed

The 2009 C-class Sports Coupe will unveiled next year at the Geneva Motor Show and will go on sale towards the end of spring 2008. It will compete with models like the next Audi A5 Coupe, Volkswagen Scirocco and BMW 3-Series Coupe.

The 2009 C-class Sports Coupe features an all-new front end to support the latest engines and dashboard, but from the A-pillar back it’s the old car. The Sport spec brings AMG wheels and bodykit, plus a striking grille-mounted three-point star.

Under the hood, the engines will range from supercharged 1.8-litre (180 Kompressor) up to a 3.5-litre V6, while the diesel line-up will start with a 2.2-litre (200 CDI) and rise to a 3.0-litre V6 (320 CDI).

Source: TopSpeed

Using Rinspeed components, the Russian tuner GTR-Auto decided to modify the Porsche Cayenne Turbo in a “greener way”. GTR-Auto did quite a good job transforming the ordinary Cayenne Turbo in an special car. At the exterior the Porsche received a stylish sport pack with 4 exhaust pipes and some 20″ wheels while at the interior everything is so colorfull. The Russian tuner made a risky job by inserting colorfull pannels at the interior but at the end everything looks perfect next to the sport seats that have inserted the cannabis emblem.

For those who doubt about strongest between Gallardo and Ferrari Spider, Jeremy Clarkson had put the two supercars face to face: the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Ferrari F430 Spider. The winner? Start your bets!

http://rapidshare.com/files/67516289/Pagani_Zonda_pack.rar

Edo Competition released their latest project: the Ferrari 599 GTB. Powered by a V12 engine with a maximum output of 620 hp, the 599 Edo can now reach a top speed of 205 mph and make the 0 to 60 mph sprint i 3.7 seconds.


Specifications
Engine: V12
Power: 620 hp (456 kW) at 7600 rpm
Max. Torque: 608 Nm (448 ft-lb) at 5600 rpm

Performance
Top speed > 330 km/h (> 205 mph)
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) est.3.7 s

Features as opposed to the production car:

Engine available in 2 output levels:
Level 1 – F599 GTB
Recalibrated ECU, modified intake system, performance exhaust system and high-flow
catalytic converters
Realized output: est. 650 hp.
Level 2 – 630 GTB 6.3 ltr. FXX – engine conversion
Realized output: est. 750 hp.
Wheels:
20“ racing wheels
Front: 9.0x20, offset 27 with Pirelli tires 245/35R20
Rear: 11.0x20, offset 42 with Pirelli tires 305/35R20, painted wheel face and stainless steel outer rim. Upon request the wheels can be painted in custom colors.

edo/KW sport suspension
Racing suspension technology for the road with adjustable compression and rebound damping. Independently adjustable compression and rebound damping permits truly individual suspension setups. The unique system, with its three different adjustments, allows for low-speed compression damping characteristics to be altered while the highspeed settings, having a strong influence on ride-quality, remain constant.

Sport spring set Color red, lowering rear: 40 mm, front: 20 mm

edo performance exhaust system
Newly developed high-flow exhaust system with electronic butterfly valve control (remote control to adjust the sound intensity available upon request).

FXX programme extended for further two years thanks to new evolution kit developed with assistance of Client Test-Drivers

The innovative FXX programme, based on the eponymous prototype car and launched by Ferrari in June 2005, is being extended to 2008/2009. The FXX, which is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello, has been updated with an evolution package aimed at further improving its handling and performance. The package was developed as a result of Ferrari's collaboration with its Client Test Drivers and with the invaluable support of Michael Schumacher. The FXXs equipped with this package will also sport a new livery in addition to new rear wing profiles

The FXX is not homologated for road use and there are no plans to compete with it either. In fact, the FXX prototype is designed exclusively for track driving as part of a specific R&D programme agreed with a selected group of just over 20 clients involving 14 group test sessions and 14 private ones in the last two years. Thanks to readings taken over the 16,500 kilometres of tests carried out in 2006 and the 18,500 kilometres covered in 2007, the modifications made to the car have focused on honing its aerodynamics, running gear and electronics. Seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher also joined the ranks of the client test drivers and gave the programme the benefit of his vast experience on several occasions.

Maranello's engineers studied the wealth of information gained to develop a kit which will cut the FXX's Fiorano lap time to under 1'16'' (previously it was 1'18''). The FXX's 6262 cc V12 engine can now punch out a massive 860 hp at 9500 rpm. Gearshifting takes just 60 ms, a drop of 20 ms on the previous time, and the gear ratios have been adapted to make use of the extra 1000 rpm now delivered by the engine.

The car's new traction control system, developed in close collaboration with the GES Racing Division engineers, gives the driver a choice of no less than nine different settings (plus the off position) which are selected using a switch on the central tunnel. This means that the driver really can modify the car's behaviour on the track from corner to corner, just as the Formula 1 drivers do to maximise performance and reduce tyre wear. The FXX's traction control is also now less invasive and more flexible, adapting more efficiently to the individual driving style of each driver - a requirement pinpointed when this very extreme car was being driven on the track by non-professional drivers.

Wallpaper: http://rapidshare.com/files/66279472/Ferrari_FXX_Evolution_2008.rar

The V-Spec is a more powerful version of the GT-R. The company confirmed that the car is nearly completed and will arrive in America about one year after the Gt-R will go on sale, in early 2008.

The Skyline GT-R R32, R33 & R34 were also offered with a V-Spec version. It featured lowered suspension, an improved brake package, carbon-fiber diffusers and spoilers and also lots of mechanical updates.

Source:TopSpeed

FIA has confirmed the 2008 Formula One Schedule. One of the most interesting changes from the previous seasons is the Singapore street race that will take place at night. Another new entry in Formula One is Valencia with a newly-constructed street circuit around the Spanish city’s redeveloped marina. Canada will also have a circuit next season: Montreal.

The 2008 Formula One Schedule
16 Mar – Australia
23 Mar – Malaysia
6 Apr – Bahrain
27 Apr – Spain
11 May – Turkey
25 May – Monaco
8 Jun – Canada
22 Jun – France
6 Jul – Great Britain
20 Jul – Germany
3 Aug – Hungary
24 Aug – Europe
7 Sep – Belgium
14 Sep – Italy
28 Sep – Singapore (night race)
12 Oct – Japan
19 Oct – China
2 Nov – Brazil

This is the delivery of Bugatti Veyron in Russia. Can you believe it

Bentley is well under way with a plan to replace the mighty Arnage in 2010. It’s a project that will require the Volkswagen-owned company to address green issues, but will also provide the basis for a new generation of Bentley models for the next decade.

The new car is likely to be built around an aluminium spaceframe chassis made by Audi, skinned with aluminium panels. A major reworking of the factory — in preparation for other future models — could also be part of the Arnage project.

Although the car should be powered by Bentley’s venerable 6.75-litre V8, this is likely to be hooked up to a hybrid drivetrain, using either major components from Audi’s new-generation quattro hybrid running gear, or the hybrid transmission already being developed for the Q7.

In a recent interview, Audi engineering boss Michael Dick said all the new Bentleys would use a version of Audi’s spaceframe, cutting around 150kg from the bare bodyshell.

The Bentleys will use the core of the Audi structure, which will be available in three different sizes, but with new metal from the waistline upwards. For the Arnage the base of the windscreen will be mounted higher and the pillars reshaped.

Bentley says the first evidence of its new, more environmentally friendly thinking will be seen at the 2008 Geneva motor show.

In a candid interview with Autocar, Bentley boss Franz-Josef Paefgen revealed that he regarded the Arnage project as the biggest challenge for Bentley since the 1930s.

“This will be a totally independent car,” he said. “It will not be like the Continental, a derivative of a VW Group product, although it will use components from the group.”

Paefgen also stated his determination to keep the classic 6.75-litre V8 alive. Despite the fact that the engine turns 50 in 2009, Bentley wants it to pass new emissions regulations.

“Meeting the 2009 EU5 emissions limits with this V8 can be done,” he said. “We are now working on the proposed EU6 limits for 2013-15. All our engineers want to keep the engine alive.”

Paefgen also admitted the company now had to face green issues. “We are looking at a long-term problem that will develop over decades and centuries,” he said. “If we have to reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent, we will do it. But we have to satisfy our customers and build a proper Bentley.”

Autocar understands that the idea of building lighter, smaller cars with downsized engines has been discussed. However, Paefgen hinted that this option had already been dumped.

“We may need to shed weight, but we still need to produce cars of a Bentley size,” he said.

Source: autocar

Traffic offenders in Netherlands might need a powerful car than M3 to get rid of the police.


The police from Netherlands received last week a nice BMW M3 Coupe. With a maximum power of 420 hp, catching the bad guys is no problem anymore.

Applying this high-speed concept characteristic of all BMW M power units, the new V8 engine from the M3 develops maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp from engine capacity of precisely 3,999 cc. Further equally impressive factors are the engine’s peak torque of 400 Newton-metres or 295 lb-ft as well as maximum engine speed of 8, 400 rpm.

Acceleration to 100 km/h comes in just 4.8 seconds, and the car continues this mindboggling performance with fascinating consistency all the way to its top speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph, where the engine electronics set an artificial limit to the ongoing power and performance of the new BMW M3.






Source

HOUSTON -- Longtime Houston Astros radio announcer Milo Hamilton suffered a heart attack this weekend and was recovering in a Houston hospital on Tuesday.

The 80-year-old underwent an angioplasty and had a stent put in and is doing well. He began experiencing chest pains on Sunday at lunch and went to an emergency room where doctors discovered an artery that was completely clogged.

"I had a heart attack and there was some minimal damage," Hamilton said in a release. "Only time will tell how much. I'm feeling pretty good and I'm relaxed. Hopefully, I'll leave the hospital soon, likely on Thursday or Friday."

The heart attack postponed hip replacement surgery that had been scheduled for Monday. That surgery will likely be delayed for 6-12 weeks.


Hamilton has been calling major league games since 1953 and has been with the Astros since 1985. He began calling only home games in 2006.

He also has worked for the Cardinals, Braves, Pirates and both Chicago teams. He's called 11 no-hitters, but his most famous call is Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run in 1974.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

NASIOC has long been a bonanza of leaked photos and info relatingng to all things Subaru, and today, user "fyinpig" keeps that tradition going with brochure shots of the JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI ahead of the car's official debut later this month. As you can see, the muscled-up hatch will be available in 7 colors in Japan ("obshidian" black pearl,, anyone?), with three different wheel styles. Inside, there's no shortage of STI logos, so your passengers won't confuse your machine with the standard WRX. Key numbers you'll undoubtedly be interested in include:





304 hp @ 6400 rpm
311lb-ft @ 4400rpm (41:59 torque split)
Weight: 3263 lb (subtract an additional 22 lbs. if fitted with optional BBS wheels)



Head over to the NASIOC thread for all the info and an ongoing discussion.

[Source: NASIOC]