Autoblog

Pics Aplenty: Mansory Cyrus goes out and about

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Aston Martin, Luxury

Mansory Cypress - Click above for high-res image gallery

Besides talking to the cute blond at the Audi booth, your Autobloggers spent the most time at this year's Frankfurt show arguing in front of the Mansory booth. Why? Some of us simply loved the all carbon fiber Cyrus, while others thought reskinning an Aston Martin DB9 in unpainted CF wasn't the best possible use of all that sci-fi plastic. Also (of course) there was the matte pink Vitesse Rose, which... no comment.

Anyhow, Mansory just released a plethora of images showing the world what the Cyrus looks like when it's on the road. The naysayers among us will no doubt be forced to admit that the Cyrus does look better at speed, though we're still quite anti- fake roof scoop, as well as the glued-on rear quarter panels. Is $600,000ish too much to spend on top of a DB9's based price for all that baked plastic goodness? You be the judge.

Gallery: Mansory Cyrus

[Source: Mansory]

Pics Aplenty: Mansory Cyrus goes out and about originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McChip introduces Ford Focus RS with 401 horses - Are you lovin' it?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, UK

401-hp Ford Focus tuned Mcchip-dkr - Click above for high-res image gallery

There are few things we love more than hooning around in a vigorous, purebred sports car - and that's exactly how Mcchip-dkr describes its 401-horsepower Ford Focus RS. That's the Stage 2 version delivering the "whole-blood athlete," but if you want to work your way up to those heights, you can get the Stage 1 conversion for €799 ($1,142 USD). You'll take your hatch from 301 stock horsepower to 345 and bump torque by about 50 lb-ft to 383 with an ECU upgrade.

But if 401 is your lucky horsepower number and you like the sound of 457 lb-ft. of torque, then you'll need €4,499 ($6,421 U.S.). That pile of pounds will give you access to a new manifold, uprated intercooler, spark plugs, and a sports exhaust as well as the necessary ECU tweaks. Mcchip-dkr thankfully didn't do anything regrettable to the Focus RS' already terrific looks. What they've done with torque steer outside of the stock RS' trick Revoknuckle and limited-slip setup is anyone's guess.

Have a look at the press release after the jump, and there are more images of the car in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Mcchip-dkr Focus RS

[Source: Mcchip-dkr]

Continue reading McChip introduces Ford Focus RS with 401 horses - Are you lovin' it?

McChip introduces Ford Focus RS with 401 horses - Are you lovin' it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tornados Touch Down: Gemballa releases another pair of tuned Porsche Cayennes

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Porsche, Luxury

Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS/4 and GT 500 Aero 3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Aha - so that Enzo MIG-UI wasn't the only duotone beast that Gemballa was hiding. For an encore, try this: the Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS/4. Based on a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, the German tuner adds new headlights and a night vision system, more of that widebody-and-vents thing, with LEDs hidden in the vents ahead of the front wheels. The inside is bathed in leather, Alcantara, and carbon, and the rear bench is bisected by a center console. The package is lowered on 22-inch wheels and is powered by a 750-horsepower engine.

If you want to turn the volume on your tuned Cayenne down a bit, then try the Gemballa GT 500 Aero 3, which wears less ostentatious aero lowered over 22-inch wheels, a new exhaust, and a revised interior.

Both SUVs are slightly tweaked and repainted versions of the Tornado 750 GTS and GT 500 Aero 3 that Gemballa released earlier this year. You can have a look at both in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS / 4

Gallery: Gemballa GT 500 Aero 3

[Source: Gemballa]

Tornados Touch Down: Gemballa releases another pair of tuned Porsche Cayennes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gemballa-tuned Enzo MIG-UI waiting for The Empire to strike back again

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Middle East, Luxury

Ferrari Enzo MIG-UI by Gemballa -- Click above for image gallery

The black and white menace you see above was created for Gemballa's Middle East distributor, the Illyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, using Mustafa's personal Enzo as the subject. The roof scoop, jet-thruster-surrounds for the exhaust, and black rims are Gemballa hallmarks, on top of which the nose has been slightly sculpted and the hood sports a central scoop.

The widebody treatment has given Gemballa room to add new elements, like the vents up front and behind the wheels, the gills on the fenders, and stolen-from-a-Subie rear wing. Other Enzo features, like the side vents, have merely been massaged. The paint scheme, a far cry from the Middle East's de rigueur gold or chrome, is nothing short of arresting -- make of that what you will. We don't mind it.

The inside is rather subdued, comparatively speaking: black and quilted red leather, trimmed in red stitching and piping. We don't know anything else about the car at the moment -- seems the proud owners are holding back until it's officially rolled out, debutante style, to a waiting Dubai public. If anyone makes it to the unveiling, please let us know if it comes with a set of Imperial armor and an E-11 blaster...

Gallery: Gemballa Ferrari Enzo MIG-UI

[Source: TeamSpeed]

Gemballa-tuned Enzo MIG-UI waiting for The Empire to strike back again originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback is a singular sport (with) utility

Chris Paukert — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Reviews

2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the automotive world, price is increasingly a function of degrees. How's that? Dial in a faster windscreen angle, aggressively rake the rear glass and - voilà! - you've just padded your margins to the tune of a few thousand bucks. Take a plain-jane sedan, hire some stylists to turn it into a "four-door coupe" with a racy greenhouse, and you can use the same mechanicals and still charge a mint. The same goes for crossovers - just steepen the backlight and you're in the ducats. Not convinced? See the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW X6 for field notes.

MTM is planning on selling only 15 of these in the U.S.

We note all of this because we're sure you're going to look at the upright profile of this MTM Audi A3 Sportback and dismissively turn up your nose when you learn its pricetag is around $55,000. But if we lopped off a couple of doors or gave it a less formal roofline, we'd be willing to bet that its price would suddenly look a lot more palatable. All of which is understandable, really, as $55k is a lot of coin to be shelling out - especially considering that at a few shekels over $27k, a base A3 starts at roughly half the money.

But shelve your bodystyle prejudices and bear with us for a moment. If you're like us, you've looked longingly at a lot of what the Four-Ringed Wunder has been kicking out on its home continent - models like the RS6 Avant, TT-RS and S3. And unless you've got some seriously deep pockets, an inside man on the gray market and a relative who owes you a favor at the local DMV, you haven't got a prayer of landing any such tasty treats here in the U.S. So while the folks at Motoren-Technik-Mayer (MTM) can't source you an assembly-line-fresh S3 for your middle-American driveway, they can build you a road-legal doppelganger, and as it turns out, that ain't half bad.

We've talked up the Audi A3's virtues and vices before, so we'll spare you the gab about how much we enjoy its well-resolved interior, grippy Quattro all-wheel drive, planted handling and surprising utility. We've also not been shy in mentioning how its price tag can get disastrously dear with just a brief once-over of Audi's options list - and that's before handing it over to a tuner like MTM. But enough with the apologies - ride along with us past the jump to see if this hot hatch is full of excuses... or full of win.

Gallery: Review: 2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback

Continue reading Review: 2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback is a singular sport (with) utility

Review: 2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback is a singular sport (with) utility originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fancy a camouflage F-150? Graphics for entire Ford lineup coming soon

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:21:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Ford, Design/Style

Ford Custom Graphics - Click above for high-res image gallery

At the LA Auto Show this year, Ford showed off several North American-market Ford Fiestas. The cars themselves received a warm reception, as did the customized versions on hand to show off the possibilities. One Fiesta in particular caught our eye: It was a fairly stock-looking white car with some outrageous black graphics on its flanks. We came to learn that this wasn't just a one-off. It was, in fact, part of a new Ford program to allow buyers to similarly customize any Ford in the vehicle lineup.

The generically-named Ford Custom Graphics are a series of vinyls that can be used to add a little extra something to your blue oval beauty. Ford says the graphics are scratch-resistant and weatherproof, and retain the car's 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty. They will be sold exclusively through Ford dealers. Although the Fiesta designs are the only pages open right now, there are previews of other planned graphics on the FordCustomGraphics.com website. We've assembled some of them here for you in the gallery below. The lower camo on the F-150 is particularly eye-catching, but there are similar treatments for every single vehicle in the Ford family brochure. Check 'em out.

Gallery: Ford Custom Graphics

[Source: Ford]

Fancy a camouflage F-150? Graphics for entire Ford lineup coming soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cargraphic brings Airlift system to Audi R8

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Audi

Cargraphic Airlift Audi R8 -- Click above for high-res image gallery

The Audi R8 is undoubtedly awesome. It is also undoubtedly low, as in to the ground. Not low enough to prevent you from getting around, but you pay close attention anytime the word "driveway" comes up. Cargraphic has engineered an airlift system to address the issue that can raise the car 72 mm (2.8 inches) in 15 seconds. The best part about it is that it doesn't alter the dynamic performance of the car's suspension.

The airlift places small bellows on the upper spring cup of the suspension. When the bellows aren't inflated, the mounting point is rigid, so the suspension responds as normal. With the compressor, the total weight is just 3 kilos, and there are no hydraulics or fluid to deal with. And the system comes with a remote control, in case you want to show off your additional three inches when you're not in the car. Full details are in the press release after the jump, and in the gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: Cargraphic Airlift Audi R8

[Source: Cargraphic]

Continue reading Cargraphic brings Airlift system to Audi R8

Cargraphic brings Airlift system to Audi R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ATT MB E-Class "a pleasant original deluxe-sportster, stiring the blood of every real man"

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

ATT-TEC E Class sedan -- Click above for high-res image gallery

ATT-TEC has been busy this end of the year, and here they are presenting yet another softly tuned German car, this time an E Class sedan. Called "a car of extra class - no doubt!" and "flawless everywhere," it wears a comprehensive aero kit and 20-inch wheels. Intriguingly, it also sports a round void where the grille emblem once lived, and a matching void in the vents aft the front wheels.

ATT didn't mention the engine at all, so we figure they left it alone. The remaining mods will run you €10,321 ($14,757 U.S.). A press release after the jump will tell you about a car that could be ticketed for "stiring [sic] the blood of every real man," and there's the gallery of high-res photos below to get you even more worked up.

Gallery: ATT-TEC Mercedes E Class Sedan

[Source: ATT-TEC]

Continue reading ATT MB E-Class "a pleasant original deluxe-sportster, stiring the blood of every real man"

ATT MB E-Class "a pleasant original deluxe-sportster, stiring the blood of every real man" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Leno to cram SLS AMG's V8 into 1969 Mercedes 6.3

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty, Luxury

1968 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ask us to pick our favorite Mercedes-Benz products of all time and towards the top of that list sits this: The 1968-1972 300SEL 6.3. Introduced at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show, the original 6.3 was the product of one rogue Mercedes engineer who took the 109-series Type 300 SEL sedan and shoved the Type 600 limo's 6.3-liter V8 underhood. The heart transplant was good for 250 horsepower, allowed the Teutonic sled to rocket to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, top out at 136 mph and made it the fastest road-going sedan of the time.

Not only did the 6.3 out accelerate the Porsche 911 S and Jaguar E-Type 4.2, with it's pneumatic suspension, anti-dive control and four-wheel disc brakes, it could dance as well as it could surge. And of course, Jay Leno has a 1969 example parked in his So. Cal. stable.

During a press event earlier this month, Jay and the Mercedes crew held a little soiree at his "shop" and revealed Leno's plans to swap in the 6.2-liter V8 from the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG into his 40-year-old sedan. The union of the 300SL and the 563-hp AMG-fettled mill apparently has Mercedes' blessing, as the automaker's engineerings are helping Jay with the swap. Naturally, we can't wait to see and hear the results, and we'd expect a video of the reborn beast to be up in the coming months.

Gallery: 1968 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 6.3

[Source: USAToday via Save The Enzos]

Jay Leno to cram SLS AMG's V8 into 1969 Mercedes 6.3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FAB Design makes the Ugliest. Panamera. Ever.

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Luxury

FAB Design Full Broadside Panamera -- Click above for high-res image gallery

It took us a while, but we have finally realized what's going on: tuning companies are overstocked with Butt Ugly. They didn't ration their supply properly, now they've got unused cases of Butt Ugly lying around, stinking up the place. That's why we've been assaulted with all these steaming piles lately -- because 2010 Butt Ugly will be shipping soon, so all this 2009 Butt Ugly has got to go go go!

And that's the best explanation we can come up with for this, the FAB Design Full Broadside Porsche Panamera. The "extrovert Wide Bodykit" is fashioned entirely from carbon fiber, not that it helps any. If we have anything nice to say, it's that we don't mind the wheels or three trapezoidal exhaust tips. Nor do we mind the upgraded engine doing 690 hp. But that wrapping... oh, the humanity...

FAB suggests this is what its customers want, saying that its tweaked Panamera is the first of its new FAB Exclusive line. Praise be it will be limited to 15 units. The press release is after the jump, and to those that can, have a look at the FAB Panamera from every angle in the gallery of high-res photos below. Hat tip to Johannes

Gallery: FAB Design Panamera: A Full Broadside

[Source: FAB Design]

Continue reading FAB Design makes the Ugliest. Panamera. Ever.

FAB Design makes the Ugliest. Panamera. Ever. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Twin-turbo Viper-powered LMC Super Cuda shatters 200 mph against Ferrari Enzo

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos

LMC Super 'Cuda vs. Ferrari Enzo - Click above to watch video

Legendary Motorcar Company built a Super 'Cuda for SEMA - no, not with a modern Dodge Challenger, with an actual Barricuda - and then decided to find out what it could do. The car is stuffed with engine and rubber: A twin-turbo Viper V10 with at least 1,000 horsepower, along with 345-series, 19-inch tires in back. So about the only place they could test it properly was Chrysler's Chelsea, Michigan proving grounds. For good measure, the folks at LMC brought a Ferrari Enzo along as well.

Needless to say, in a straight line drag, the Super 'Cuda owns the Enzo. The green monster and its turbine howls raced through the air so quickly that the windshield molding came off and the hood lifted by three inches. When it came to top speed, however - and in all likelihood, real-life cornering- the Enzo took the round, going 218 mph to the 'Cuda's 208 mph. The 'Cuda probably could have gone faster, but vintage aerodynamics and driver heebie-jeebies put paid to that. Get all the action in the video after the jump. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Source: Car Chat]

Continue reading VIDEO: Twin-turbo Viper-powered LMC Super Cuda shatters 200 mph against Ferrari Enzo

VIDEO: Twin-turbo Viper-powered LMC Super Cuda shatters 200 mph against Ferrari Enzo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line now on sale - in Europe

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Sedan, Europe, Volkswagen, Design/Style

2010 Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen just opened the order book on the Passat CC with the R-Line package in Europe. We saw this car at the Frankfurt Motor Show and were completely smitten with it. Taking the regular CC's swoopy coupedan shape and adding the R-Line package makes it just about perfect. What stops it from being perfect is the fact that the R-Line package doesn't add any oomph. Just like Audi's S-Line, its alterations are mainly cosmetic.

The R-Line package adds an aero kit, surprisingly modest "Mallory" pattern 17-inch wheels, R-Line emblems, smoked taillights, R-Line aluminum sill plates, a unique three-spoke multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel, front foglamps, and the Park Pilot system.

It becomes the eighth R-Line model in Volkswagen's lineup and will add 2,200 euro to the price of your CC - about $3,200 in Yankee bucks. Full press release after the jump and plenty of live and press pics below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Volkswagen CC R

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line now on sale - in Europe

Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line now on sale - in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Onyx slams 2010 Range Rover, lets the boys be boys

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Land Rover, Luxury

Range Rovers by Onyx - Click above for high-res image gallery

Since we're getting close to the time frame seen in the movie Demolition Man, you might want to start shopping for a car that can prepare you for Stallone and Snipes blasting it out in the streets. Irish tuning house Onyx could have what you seek with its new 2010 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Vogue conversions. Inside are buffalo hides and carbon fiber, and outside are a ring of bluff skirting, along with LEDs on the Vogue and, naturally, 22-inch TPM wheels.

Some under-the-hood work has also been done, adding an impressive 80 horsepower to the already very quick Supercharged model's 517 horsepower. You can read about the Onyx Rovers in the press release after the jump and check them out in the gallery of high-res photos below. And feel free to also enjoy the musical riff on this post's title - it's most likely the kind of soundtrack you'll hear coming from one of these, anyway...

Gallery: Range Rover Tuning by Onyx

[Source: Onyx]

Continue reading Onyx slams 2010 Range Rover, lets the boys be boys

Onyx slams 2010 Range Rover, lets the boys be boys originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Techart Porsche Cayenne Turbo closes in on 200 mph at Nardo

Drew Phillips — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Porsche

Techart Porsche Cayenne Turbo - Click above for a high-res image gallery

There's something magical about 200 mph. The double century has become a benchmark for modern supercars, although it takes just as much courage as pavement to do the deed. As we found out at World Class Driving earlier this year, sometimes that isn't even enough. Techart, the well-known German Porsche tuner, recently headed to the Nardo test track in Italy to see if they could break the 200 mph mark in one of its more unlikely speed demons: a Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

Obviously, an SUV isn't exactly the ideal vehicle to reach terminal velocity, but it seems to be a popular trend lately. Just last week we told you about the Brabus GLK V12 that reached 200.3 mph at Nardo thanks to its 750 horsepower twin-turbo V12. The Techart Cayenne Turbo with just 680 horsepower wasn't quite as fast -- 321.2 km/h or 199.5 mph, but seriously impressive nonetheless. Techart is still declaring a world record, though, claiming the title of the planet's fastest "full size" SUV. Trivial? Yes. Pointless? Undoubtedly. But wealthy soccer moms that rejoicing during their daily commute on the autobahn. Learn more about the Techart Cayenne Turbo and its record-breaking top speed run after the jump.

Gallery: Techart Porsche Cayenne Turbo

[Source: Techart]

Continue reading Techart Porsche Cayenne Turbo closes in on 200 mph at Nardo

Techart Porsche Cayenne Turbo closes in on 200 mph at Nardo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For Sale: Lincoln Town Car Limo/Hearse combo... in case your night on the town goes horribly wrong

Alex Nunez — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Car Buying, Lincoln, Specialty

It goes without saying that when you think you've seen everything, you ain't seen jack. We were reminded of this the other night while perusing the New York Post's online sports page for the skinny on the Hideki Matsui deal. Frankly, Godzilla's contract status seemed a lot less important once we spied this classified ad for a 2001 Lincoln Town Car combination hearse/limousine displayed on the page.

The description touts the strange Townie as essentially representing the zenith of funereal transportation innovation:

"YOU COULD COMPLETELY ELIMINATE HAVING TO HAVE TWO VEHICLES AT EVERY SERVICE, SO NOW YOU CAN TAKE THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO THE CEMETARY [sic] IN ONE CAR."

But something tells us that accompanying dearly departed Aunt Myrtle on her final ride just might not appeal to everyone.

In any case, for $18,900, some enterprising limo company is going to have itself the ultimate utility vehicle - capable of transporting six adults for a night of debauchery in plush, floaty comfort, and saving the county coroner's van a trip when things go a little bit too far...

[Source: New York Post]

For Sale: Lincoln Town Car Limo/Hearse combo... in case your night on the town goes horribly wrong originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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9ff reveals even more bonkers GT9-R - is this the world's fastest production car?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

9ff GT9-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Bonkers is a relative term, when you think about it. Case in point: the 9ff GT9. With 973 horsepower and a 409 km/h top speed - that's 254 mph, friends - this was already one bonkers supercar. And then 9ff comes along with the GT9-R, an even faster version with - wait for it - 1120 horsepower and a claimed 414 km/h (257 mph) top speed. That's enough to outgun the 412 km/h (256 mph) record set by the SSC Ultimate Aero TT to claim the top-speed crown. That's right: pending outside verification at least, this is the world's fastest car. On the way, it'll hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, 200 km/h (124 mph) in 7.4 and 300 (186 mph) in 14.9. Right, bonkers.

Although - like 9ff's tuner cars - the GT9-R is loosely based on a Porsche 911, it only bears what could barely be described as a passing resemblance. Just about the entire thing is built from scratch, with a 4.0-liter boxer six all but completely rebuilt.

Only twenty examples of the range-topping GT9-R will be offered, although the *ahem* lesser versions with 750 or 987 horsepower are also available, each built to order to the customer's specifications. We're just afraid to ask how much many euros that entails, especially when the existing GT9 went for half a million. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 9ff GT9-R

[Source: 9ff]

Continue reading 9ff reveals even more bonkers GT9-R - is this the world's fastest production car?

9ff reveals even more bonkers GT9-R - is this the world's fastest production car? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Borat-class "Rolls-Royce" actually looks good

Jonny Lieberman — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:49:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Etc., Europe, Videos, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Not a Rolls-Royce Phantom - Click above to watch the video

Right, so this isn't really a Rolls-Royce. We know, we know -- you thought it was. And that's understandable. But no, it's a fake, a phony, a fraud, etc. And with the owner spending at least, say, $3,000 to turn an old Mercedes-Benz E-Class into a Roller, we understand why you were duped. We aren't surprised, however, that this car exists in a former Soviet Bloc country (supposedly Kazakhstan).

All joking/sardonic comments aside, we always wonder why people bother with stunts like this. The other day we saw a BMW E39 525i with a M5 badge. Now, the only people that will be impressed by an M5 badge are the exact same people who will notice that the E39 is missing the requisite four tail pipes. So, who exactly are they fooling, besides themselves? This Phantom conversion's one redeeming quality is that the finished product (somehow) looks pretty good. Make the jump to watch the video. A tip of the Kalpak to Pasi for the tip!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Borat-class "Rolls-Royce" actually looks good

VIDEO: Borat-class "Rolls-Royce" actually looks good originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MEC Design takes another (eyeball) stab at the SLS AMG

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG by MEC Design - Click above for image gallery

Germans are generally so conservative that we sometimes wonder if their aftermarket scene exists only to provide for the anomalies that every society needs. Not many of you fell for MEC Design's first attempt at visually tuning the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, and we would have thought it was something from Tron Legacy if not for the fact of it being yellow. It appears that boys from Berlin returned to their easels and now present the MEC SLS, take two.

It's called a "style study" and to its credit, MEC has deleted the most obscene gestures from the previous rendering: the mommy-make-it-stop nose and horrendous wheels. Nevertheless, MEC's Erector-Set-and-Laffy-Taffy design ethos has only been barely restrained, and the result is still quite troubling. If you have suggestions, you can leave them in the comments section below. We think MEC is reading...

Gallery: MEC Design Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

[Source: Caradisiac]

MEC Design takes another (eyeball) stab at the SLS AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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G-Power takes the BMW X6 M, X5 M to 600 hp and beyond

Jonny Lieberman — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:23:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Crossover, BMW

G-Power Typhoon X6 M - click above for hi-res image gallery

We all know what the biggest problem with the BMW X6 M is, right? Not nearly enough power. Sure, 555 hp from a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 is 5 hp more potent than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, making the X6 M the most powerful production SUV on earth. Still, 600 hp is the new black, so a stock X6 M just ain't going to cut it. Thank heavens, then, for G-Power.

Meet the G-Power Typhoon. Thanks to 15% increased airflow to the intercoolers, G-Power was able to wrangle an additional 45 hp out of the Bimmer's motivator. Torque's up a bit, too. From 500 lb-ft to 516. G-Power claims the 0-62 mph dash is lowered to 4.5 seconds, too. One issue with that, however: Inside Line ripped off a 4.3 second 0-60 mph blast in a stock X6 M, meaning this here Typhoon should be three flavors of bonkers.

Then there's the matter of looks, always a sticking point when discussing modern Bimmers. Here's what we recommend. Go down to your friendly neighborhood BMW dealer with a folding chair. Locate an X6. Sit down in front of it and start staring. Meditate, let everything else you've ever known or thought about cars and car design melt out of your mind. This should take between five and seven hours. The salespeople won't mind -- honest. When you snap out of your trance with your doors of perception suddenly nailed open, the X6 will appear to you as it truly is -- pretty okay-looking.

That settled, we'll admit to liking the G-Power's mods. For instance, you can't say the new front clip looks worse than the old one, can you? And who amongst you doesn't love 25mm profile tires riding on 23-inch wheels? There's all sorts of carbon fiber this and kevlar that available as well. The best part just might be that G-Power isn't leaving the X5 M -- the X6 M's ugly duckling sibling -- out in the cold, as there's a Typhoon kit for it, too. You know what word comes to mind? Nifty, all of it. Highly entertaining press release after the jump.

Gallery: G-Power X6 M and X5 M

[Source: G-Power]

Continue reading G-Power takes the BMW X6 M, X5 M to 600 hp and beyond

G-Power takes the BMW X6 M, X5 M to 600 hp and beyond originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At 211 mph, the Brabus GLK V12 can't outrun ugly

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Crossover, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz GLK V12 by Brabus - Click above for high-res image gallery

It ain't pretty, but it's fast. Actually, with a claimed 211 mph top speed, the Brabus Bi-Turbo V12 GLK is the fastest SUV in the world. Which is kinda like being the winner in a Twinkie-eating competition: It's an epic feat of embarrassing proportions.

To pull it off, the Brabus crew stuck with its tried and true formula of shoving entirely too much engine into a small package. Underneath the vented hood lies a Mercedes-sourced V12 that's been stroked from 5.5- to 6.3-liters. From there, the Bottrop boys fit a duo of turbos, two intercoolers, a couple high-flow cats and a stainless steel exhaust. The effect is typical Brabus: A staggering 740 horsepower and 995 pound-feet of torque, which is actually limited to 811 lb-ft (at 2,100 rpm) to avoid the gearbox, diff and rear tires from vaporizing in an oily, metallic haze. And naturally, the absurdity doesn't stop with the engine.

Twelve-piston front calipers clamp onto 15-inch discs, with six-piston calipers and 14.2-inch rotors in the rear, while a height adjustable coilover suspension with ten settings for bound and rebound join 22-inch wheels wrapped in a choice of Pirelli or Yokohama rubber. The exterior and interior have been restyled to match, and while Merc's diminutive 'ute isn't exactly a beauty queen to begin with, Brabus' blocky aftermarket brutalization lends itself well to the GLK's squat proportions.

But aesthetics aside, there's a bigger problem. Actually, there are 397,000 of 'em. That's how many euros you'll need for the GLK V12. For that kind of scratch ($580,000 using a straight conversion), there's a host of high-power exotica available. And when you consider the GLK's sprinting stats -- 0-60 in 4.2 seconds and 124 mph in 12.8 ticks -- the far less expensive BMW X5 M is easily on par and was actually designed from the onset to be an offensively quick grocery-getter. Then again, the M can't break the double-century mark at Nardo... something to consider during your trip to Costco. Press release below the fold.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz GLK V12 by Brabus

Continue reading At 211 mph, the Brabus GLK V12 can't outrun ugly

At 211 mph, the Brabus GLK V12 can't outrun ugly originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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