2007 Mercedes-Benz Brabus SV12 S Biturbo Coupe

730 bhp of power, 974 lb-ft of torque and a top speed of 211 mph. With the Brabus SV12 S Biturbo coupe, based on the latest Mercedes CL 600 model, Brabus presents one of the world’s fastest and most powerful coupes.

At the heart of this exclusive automobile is the Brabus SV12 S Biturbo engine. It is based on the turbocharged Mercedes 600 twelve-cylinder engine and represents the most powerful street-legal V12 engine in the world. Installing a special Brabus crankshaft with longer stroke, combined with a bigger bore and correspondingly sized forged pistons, increases displacement from 5.5 to 6.3 liters. Further engine modifications also include precision-machining the cylinder heads and fitting them with four special camshafts.

In addition the engine peripherals are also modified extensively. The modifications include special exhaust manifolds, two larger turbochargers, a high-efficiency intercooler and a high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts and low back pressure. Extensive bench tests determined the new programming for the engine electronics that not only maximizes power yield but also ensures that the engine meets stringent Euro IV emission limits.

Performance figures of the Brabus SV12 S Biturbo displacement engine speak volumes: A rated power output of 730 bhp at 5,100 rpm is just as extraordinary as a peak torque of 974 lb-ft at just 2,100 rpm. In the car peak torque is limited electronically to 812 lb-ft.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a modified five-speed automatic transmission. The optionally available Brabus locking differential optimizes traction. All Brabus drivetrain elements are operated with ARAL high-performance lubricants.

The Brabus S V12 S Biturbo coupe is not just at the top of its league in terms of the power output; it is also one of the fastest street-legal cars of its kind. 0 – 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, 125 mph after just 11.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 211 mph are all very impressive.

The enormous performance of the Brabus SV12 S Biturbo coupe places exceptionally high demands on the aerodynamic-enhancement parts that were developed in the wind tunnel. The sophisticated shape of the Brabus front apron reduces lift on the front axle and improves engine and front brake cooling due to its large air inlet. Integrated fog lamps and high beams lend the car a characteristic appearance and further improve active safety by optimizing illumination of the road.

The Brabus rocker panels optimize the airflow along the sides and feature integrated entrance lights for safe entering and exiting of the vehicle in the dark.

The Brabus rear apron sports custom-tailored cutouts for the Brabus quad sport exhaust. Three LED lights integrated into the apron are also activated via the keyless fob. An understated rear spoiler rounds out the sophisticated Brabus aerodynamics concept, and reduces lift on the rear axle for further improved directional stability at high speeds.

The enormous performance of the Brabus SV12 S Biturbo coupe is kept safely in check at all times thanks to custom-tailored solutions for tires, suspension and brakes. Among them are Brabus Monoblock light-alloy wheels with diameters of 18, 19, 20 or 21 inches. The largest tire/wheel combination features Brabus Monoblock VI and E wheels in sizes 9Jx21 in front and 10.5Jx21 on the rear axle. The largest corresponding tires are size 265/30 ZR21 in front and size 295/30 ZR21 in the rear. Brabus recommends Pirelli and Yokohama high-performance tires.

The Brabus module for the standard ABC suspension is specifically calibrated to these high-performance tires, and lowers the ride height of the two-door by about an inch. For further optimized active safety the Brabus SV12 S Biturbo coupe can be equipped with the Brabus high-performance brake system. Maximum fade-free stopping power is provided on the front axle by 380 x 36 millimeter discs and 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers. The rear features 355 x 28 millimeter discs and six-piston aluminum fixed calipers.

Brabus also fulfills any requests imaginable when it comes to exclusive interior options. The list of products ranges from scuff plates with illuminated Brabus logo or an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel to an exclusive customized interior crafted from soft yet durable Brabus Mastik leather and the finest Alcantara.



The Brabus SV12 S Biturbo coupe can be ordered as a complete car starting at 178,980 Euros or can be built based on an existing current CL 600 model.

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MINI tuning by AC Schnitzer

Dark shoulders, muscular body: the new Mi2 one-piece alloy wheels from AC Schnitzer are the ideal companion for both generations of MINI. One, Cooper or Cooper S, hard top or Convertible.

At the moment the AC Schnitzer designers and engineers develop a special accessories range for the new MINI. Following the history of the MINI, we will concentrate on special developments in the area of performance upgrades, sports rear silencer, sports suspension, exterior components and Interior details.

Four pairs of straight spokes in V-shaped groupings suggest a sophisticated mixture of racing flair and luxury. The original Bicolor finish, achieved by the inner hub painted black up to the polished rim, adds a dash of daring. Qualities which characterised even the first MINIs at the end of the 50s. Where the original design had to settle for 10" and later 12" wheels, AC Schnitzer offers the Mi2 wheels in a size 7.5J x 18" offset 50 which is more in keeping with the latest MINI and which perfectly fills the wheelarch.


Here AC Schnitzer recommends high performance tyres in size 215/35 R 18 or 205/40 R 18 from Continental and Michelin.

• Vehicle: MINI (R50, R52, R53, R56)
• Wheel type: AC Schnitzer Mi2
• Wheel design: One-piece
• Production: Cast
• Holes/circle: 4 x 100
• Dimensions: 7.5J x 18" offset 50
• Recommended tyres: 215/35 R 18 or 205/40 R 18

Source: topspeed.com

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Pitbull Edition Solstices by Mallett Cars for Pontiac

Finally, an exclusive body upgrade to match the incredible Mallett LS2/LS7 conversions. Widened a full 4 inches in the front and 5 inches in the rear, the Pitbull package is a 6 piece body conversion that allows the use of ultra-wide wheels and gives a menacing stance to the Solstice. The specially-designed front fascia improves airflow to the engine and the increased traction of wider tires lets you put more of that V8 power to the ground.

Only a limited number of Pitbull Edition Solstices will be built and will feature signature badging. The fiberglass upgrade is projected to cost $16,000-18,000 fully installed and painted, and will also be available in carbon fiber by special order. The upgrade is scheduled to debut at SEMA 2007.

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VW Touareg tuned by Abt

2002, the Touareg marked Volkswagen’s powerful way into the field of SUVs. “Even for Abt, the car was absolutely new territory,“ explains Hans-Jurgen Abt. Back then, the managing director of Abt Sportsline did in fact have doubts about the market opportunities of the heavy weight: “But the SUV has become a great success, and meanwhile Touareg and Audi Q7 are among our success stories.”

Of course, one reason for this is the fact that the Allgau-based tuners particularly stress the “S” in “SUV”. Abt has made the optically clearly improved version of the SUV from Wolfsburg also very sporty: at the moment, three diesel engines are available, and all of them come with a power increase. That is particularly obvious with the popular 3.0 TDI, which, in this version, delivers 270hp (199kW) instead of the serial 225hp (165kW) and 550Nm torque. The segment of elegant SUVs starts with the 2.5 TDI, which thanks to Abt delivers 195hp (serial version: 174hp) or 143kW (serial version: 128kW). The jewel is once more the Abt Touareg VS10, the ten-cylinder turbo diesel, which gains its enormous power of 360hp (265kW) from a five-litre engine. This engine perfectly harmonizes with the Abt Touareg. The V8, too, with its capacity of 4.2 litres is perfect for the powerful appearance of the SUV made in Kempten: instead of the serial 350hp (257kW), mighty 500hp (368kW) give the Abt VS8-R impressive drive. The Abt Suspension, which is tailor made for the requirements of this extraordinary vehicle, guarantees that the enormous power potential of the Abt Touareg can be handled while driving. The comfortable air suspension with the innovative Abt Level Control (ALC) is also available for this version. Even in risky situations the Abt brake system bites with a firm grip and brings the car of 2.4 tons to a standstill.

Again, the Kempten-based tuners have designed an extravagant body kit for the SUV, just as they did for the first Touareg version: a front spoiler lip, side skirts, fender extensions, a rear wing, rear skirts and the 4-pipe exhaust system typical for Abt form a design unit, which makes the car look extremely dynamic from every angle. The Abt Touareg is far lower and broader than its serial twin, and that suits him perfectly. Even when the car is standing, you know that it feels at home on every terrain and that it will be able to deal with all challenges. Just right: the Abt AR-wheel with 19, 20 or 22 inches. The Abt Touareg is a power pack, an athlete in a tailor made suit; with this car, you are always adequately represented.

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Audi RS5 Scoop

Audi is busy prepping three new versions of its new A5 coupe – headlined by this blistering 450bhp RS5 that arrives early next year to take on its new BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 rivals. Like all R models, the topdog A5 has been fully developed by Quattro, Audi’s in-house go-fast engineering team.

As our impressions show, the RS5 will get the full Quattro treatment. The glorious high-revving 4.2-litre V8 that powers the RS4 gets plumbed into the RS5’s nose, complete with two small and highly responsive turbochargers that will take peak power up to the 450bhp. That’s not a great deal more than the S5’s 354bhp, but the RS5 searing pace will come from its phenomenal blower-enhanced torque – expect at least 500lb ft of twist action to plateau across the rev range.

So another low-flying German missile?

You betcha. With its quattro all-paw grip, the RS5 should scrabble to 60mph in four and a half seconds and hit an easy 155mph before the electronics call it a day. Like the S5, the hot RS5 will exploit the new A5 chassis layout, which has shifted the front axle 120mm further forward for a better 55:45 front-rear balance. But don't think that the RS5 will be a mere point-and-shoot speed weapon – Quattro waved it magic wand over the RS4, and the RS5 is expected to be just as pin-sharp to drive.

To this end, the RS5’s rear-biased quattro system will give the big coupe a more neutral handling balance. To keep the RS4 on the straight and narrow and keep a tight rein on body control, it will be fitted with carbon ceramic brakes lifted from the R8, 19inch alloys, as well as modified magnetic ride dampers borrowed from the TT. All this technology and pace will come at a price – expect the RS5 to wade in with a ?53,000 price tag, in line with BMW’s ?50,625 M3.

What about the other models you mentioned?

Well, after cabriolet versions of the A5 – from 2.7-litre TDI right through to the RS5, Audi will introduce the A5 Sportback in 2010. Audi’s development team, under chairman Rupert Stadler, claims to have created a truly unique coupe-cum-shooting brake layout, complete with a practical tailgate that’s neatly integrated into the flowing bodyline.

Sleeker and sportier than, for instance, the abandoned Roadjet project, the four-door Sportback is the joint creation of chief designer Walter de’Silva, head of advanced design Flavio Manzoni, and designers Wolfgang Egger and Stefan Sielaff. It is, according to our sources, one of the most striking Audi designs since the original TT.

And stuffed full of new technology, no doubt?

Of course. This is Audi remember. The Sportback will be the first Audi to feature QTV - quattro torque vectoring. By upgrading its quattro system with additional electromagnetic clutches, QTV will work in conjunction with braking sensors to monitor steering angle, yaw rates, road speed and torque levels. It will then apportion torque not only between front and rear axle but also between left and right wheels.

Operating both under load and during throttle lift-off – arguably when the car is at its most unstable – QTV results in a more neutral cornering stance by dialing out excess over or understeer, as well as even more effective levels of traction and agility. Other packaging highlights include a multi-functional luggage cover, which also serves as wind and sun shade and a power-operated tailgate.

What about engines?

There will be a choice of three turbo charged direct-injection petrol fourpots delivering 150, 177 and 211bhp. Move up a step and there’s a 265bhp 3.2litre V6, against direct injection. And the top petrol for the moment is a 354bhp version of the naturally aspirated V8 found in the S5. Expect an RS5 Sportback to follow.

Diesel fans will be cater for with a wide choice, starting off with the familiar 170bhp 2.0-litre TDI, followed by a new 204bhp 2.0litre unit. The current 190bhp 2.7litre V6 will be dropped, and the line-up topped off by the familiar 240bhp 3.0litre variant again. A clean Bluetec diesel is also on the development board, as is a mild petrol-electric hybrid. Audi reckons that with the full A5 Sportback line-up in place, annual sales will reach 35,000.




Words: Ben Whitworth
Images: Composites : Motor Forecast

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Tony Kanaan BMW M3 tuning

Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage from Salvador, Brazil. Kanaan is an IndyCar driver who holds the unique distinction of being the only driver in the long and storied history of the Indianapolis 500 to lead the fabled event in each of his first five starts. But he doesn’t only love driving cars, but also messing with car off the track.

Kanaan is allways working projects, although he only stays home arround 2 days in the season to work in his shop. Currently on the operating table are an Acura TL and a BMW M3. He plans to upgrade the entire package for each vehicle. For specialized performance parts he can turn to his team mechanics, but for the mobile electronics he’ll have to go elsewhere.


Source: topspeed.com

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Volkswagen Golf GTI (Oettinger tuning)

Powered by a detuned version of the new 2.0 T-FSI power plant from the current Audi S3, the limited edition VW Golf GTI Edition 30 is, with 230hp (DIN), already well powered. OETTINGER, the Audi and VW specialist from Friedrichsdorf, who participated in the success of the original GTI in 1976 with the worldwide first 16V engine, now offer the owners of such vehicles a considerable portion of additional power available in 2 stages. 30 years later it is once again the OETTINGER version which shows the remaining members of the special edition clan a clean set of rear lamps.

Stage I helps the anniversary model to an astonishing 305 hp (DIN) and a torque of 400 Nm / 295 lb/ft with a new engine mapping which is loaded via Direct-Port-Tuning (Programming over the OBD-II port), and that for only EUR 1,390.00 incl. TÜV entry in the vehicle documentation. This is surely unbeatable value for money. The compact Wolfsburger now storms to 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 6.2 seconds and the acceleration doesn’t stop until it reaches 252 km/h (158 mph)!

With Stage II, the modified engine management is supported by a larger intercooler, modified intake tract and the OETTINGER carbon “ram air” intake. In addition, the engine also releases its waste gases via an OETTINGER stainless steel sport exhaust system; This highly polished system consists of a rear and middle silencer. The result is 330 hp (DIN), 430 Nm (317 lb/ft) torque, 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.9 secs. and a Vmax of 258 km/h (161 mph). The additional 100 hp can be had from OETTINGER for EUR 3,450.00 including TÜV entry in the vehicle documents.

Source: topspeed.com

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