335 hp Golf GTI tuning

Sportech customized the Golf 5 GTI and hopes to extract 335 hp from the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, which will allow the scorching hatch to beat a top end of 250 km/h (155 mph). The Sportech GTI will be unveiled at the Castrol Extreme Show on April 27.

"Building an out-and-out performance car would have been easy, but as well as being able to claim bragging rights to being the fastest Golf 5 GTI around, it also has to be able to stop and turn and still make more than a few heads swivel with its dramatic looks," said Sportech’s Chad Wentzel.

source: topspeed.com

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Aston Marting Ferrari-like concept

So where is Aston Martin headed after Ford’s sale of the company to David Richards, John Sinders, Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co? Well according to CEO, Ulrich Bez, the and will add another 1,000 to 2,000 cars to its total of 7,000. But now chairman, David Richards, is hinting that Aston Martin could be planning a mid-engined supercar that will compete with the likes of Ferrari.

In a recent press conference, “Aston has to look at some of the things that are being done by our competitors, like the Audi R8 and the Japanese brands. We believe we can expand quite considerably.” Also, at the purchase announcement, Bez said “It’s a sign of the confidence of the company that we could put a model above the Rapide.”

While there is no word at all on what the car will be called and what its specs will be eyes are on the Prodrive 2, a two-seat supercar concept with a Subaru WRX STI powertrain that showcased Aston’s engineering.

While the mid-engined supercar is a possibility in the future Aston says it isn’t a part of its five-year plan that runs from 2005 to 2010: “The investors have bought a profitable company with an agreed plan to the end of the decade, and there’s nothing mid-engined in that.”

source: egmcartech.com

Prodrive 2 Concept Gallery:

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WEITEC SPORT F-springs for Audi S3 and TT

WEITEC now offers its SPORT F-sport springs also for the two current Audi-models S3 and TT. They help lowering the cars center of gravity resulting in better agility. SPORT F-sport springs provide a lowering of 30mm in case of the S3 and 25mm regarding the TT.

With its high-quality spring kits, WEITEC offers what is probably the most cost-effective alternative in this segment. Driving pleasure was never more affordable! Within its product range, WEITEC offers over 1,000 spring kits for a large number of different vehicle models. SPORT F spring kits are available in various versions, for discreet lowering of the body by between 20 and 45 mm, as well as more extreme (from 50 mm) and wedge-shaped body lowering.

WEITEC SPORT F sport springs are produced to the highest quality by the cold winding process in accordance with DIN ISO 9001. High-quality chromium-silicon alloy steels, elaborate strengthening processes and the final epoxy coating process guarantee lasting driving pleasure.

Source: topspeed.com

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Maserati GS Zagato | More Images

source: topspeed.com

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2007 Buick Riviera Concept

The Buick Riviera, a concept car designed to showcase Buick's new global design direction, made its global debut at the Auto Shanghai 2007.

The gullwing Riviera concept coupe was developed with global design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in China, a design and engineering joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).

The Riviera has been engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system that will go into production at Shanghai GM, GM's flagship joint venture with SAIC, in 2008.

The fuel-efficient car, which will feature several technological and manufacturing advances, represents the latest achievement of GM and its partners in the promotion and development of alternative propulsion technologies in China.

The Buick Riviera, with its tightly stretched carbon fiber body panels, combination of positive and negative curves, strong front and rear identities and gullwing doors, captures the essence of Buick classics, Welburn said, while presenting a thoroughly 21st century design.

Exterior Design - A Sense Of Existence, Not Anonymity

To establish their design direction, PATAC designers looked in part to Buick icons such as the original Y-Job Concept of 1938, the 1960s Le Sabre, Electra 225 and the Riviera coupes of the 1960s and '70s.

The Riviera design is structured around the Buick tri-shield logo, sitting proudly on a trihedral waterfall grille which is formed by three meeting planes. This takes the traditional Buick treatment to a new level of sophisticated boldness.

The Buick logo leads into a reflective strip through the hood, a mark of respect to the distinctive mid-hood crease prevalent in classic Buicks. Elongated LED headlamps flow up the hood sides to three-section, top-mounted chrome portholes as a single piece of jewelry.

The logo, hood strip, headlamps, side mirrors and rocker covers all have 'icy green' backlighting available at night, matched by backlit logo and exhausts at the rear.

Designers have cleverly incorporated several other design signatures from the original Riviera generation. They include the "double sweep spear" line along the bodyside and the flared tail design. In this theme, the 'Shell Blue' exterior color was chosen to elicit the right level of attention. The color is a metallic silver with light blue accents, perfectly highlighting the coupe's exterior curves.

The gullwing doors, selected for their exotic appeal, achieve an expansive entrance to the two-plus-two seating configuration. Measuring 1938 millimeters at their widest point, they add to the coupe's sleek sideline. At night, fully opened doors gently shine the "Buick" name on the ground.

The Riviera sits on 21-inch 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels, combining polished and satin finishes, with low-profile tires. Taking their cue from Formula One cars, the side mirrors are sweeping yet unobtrusive.

Interior Design - All About Relaxation

In a word - sanctuary. The use of rich blue and subtle creams, representing earth and water themes, are conveyed through high-quality leather bucket seats, plush carpet and a luxurious padded steering wheel. Completing the organic feel, the roof comprises two shaded glass windows offering increased headroom and a celestial connection for occupants.

The three-dimensional speedometer, inspired by past classics but utterly modern in design, compliments the touchpad styled central console loosely modeled on a computer mouse. An LCD display screen crowns the central console.

from rsportscars.com

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Red Stripe Appearance Package for the Shelby GT500

Even with demand for the most muscular Mustang ever – the Ford Shelby GT500 – at a record high, Ford is cranking up additional interest with a new, limited-edition package that adds unique visual appeal to the Shelby GT500. Enter the "Red Stripe Appearance Package," to be available beginning in May.

The Ford Shelby GT500 is the most powerful Mustang on the road today and arguably one of the most successful projects from Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) in terms of performance, excitement and, importantly, quality.

New Limited-Edition Shelby GT500 Package to be Available Beginning in May

The new Red Stripe Appearance Package will be available on any new 2007 Shelby GT500 Coupe with either White or Black exterior paint. Included in the special-edition package are Bright Red overbody and bodyside stripes, a Red and Black leather interior, unique red-accent exterior badges, including red-tinted Cobra emblems in the grille, fenders, and in the faux gas cap on the rear panel. Even the "SHELBY" letters on the decklid feature red accents.

The Red Stripe Appearance Package also adds unique new premium floor mats with a Red and Silver embroidered "Cobra Snake" logo, plus a fitted Shelby GT500-branded car cover.

The appearance package carries an MSRP of $1,650 and will be available from early May through late June, marking the end of the 2007 model run.

"The red package is all about exclusivity," said Robert Parker, Ford’s Car Marketing manager. "Our Mustang customers are eager to buy unique vehicles like the Shelby GT500 and will certainly appreciate the opportunity for something even more exclusive, made in an even more limited number. These are great customers and very passionate. I’m glad we can continue to deliver what they want.”

Shelby GT500 is among the Most Successful Performance Mustangs Ever

Enthusiasm doesn't begin to describe the ongoing demand for the Ford Shelby GT500. In the hyper-competitive auto market where supply routinely surpasses demand, the Shelby GT500 still has a long waiting list of buyers.

The Shelby GT500 was created by racing legend Carroll Shelby and Ford SVT and is a modern interpretation of the classic Shelby Mustang of the 1960s. Beneath the hood of every GT500 – including the new Red model – is a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine officially rated at 500 hp. A 6-speed manual gearbox features evenly spaced gears that help provide a sharp, lively driving experience on both road and track.

In addition to the engine upgrades, Ford’s SVT engineers retuned and upgraded key Mustang chassis components. Improvements include revised shocks, spring rates and upgraded stabilizer bars that help the Ford Shelby GT500 maneuver with authority.

The GT500's unique design features include wide upper and lower fascia openings with a functional air splitter. On either side, slanting headlamp openings add to the dramatic front appearance. The carefully tailored hood has heat extractors protruding near the leading edge, combining to provide improved airflow and aerodynamics.

The MSRP of a 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 starts at $41,675.

source: rsportscars.com

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Honda S2000 Concept

The American Honda Motor Co. launched the race-inspired model of the S2000 roadster at the recent New York International Show. The racer model will be available at the dealers by September 2007.

The entire body of the roadster is reworked to fit the new model in a racer’s shoe. The aerodynamic body package is the most important feature of this aggressive performer on the roads. The body weight has been reduced considerably and the chassis balance is improved giving an easy feel to it in stressful driving conditions.

The chassis is featured with Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires. Apart from the bigger rear tyre and better springs and dampers, the new model is provided with larger stabilizer bars and a new wheel design, ensuring a quicker steering ratio.

The body is now featured with a removable hard aluminum top to replace the original soft top present in the S2000 base model. When removed, the weight of the car gets reduced by 90 pounds.

Then comes the engine efficiency. Capable of delivering 237 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and a 162 lb-ft of torque at 6,8000 rpm, this engine is not far behind its counterparts on the racing roads. The performance guarantee is strengthened by the additional care taken in modifying the front and rear double wishbone suspension and adding an electric power steering and a torque-sensing limited slip differential.

The interior has been reworked considering the growing demands from the car enthusiasts across the world. The new cloth seating, the spherical aluminum shifter and the carbon fiber-style trim panels are innovative interior features of S2000 CR. The car also comes with optional air conditioning and AM/FM stereo and CD player.

source: 2fastlist.com

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