Fabulous Mustang: January 2011

Hamann Presents Insane Fiat 500 Largo with 265HP at 2009 Frankfurt Show

The Fiat 500 Abarth has certainly caught the attention of the tuning world in Europe. Making its world premiere at the ‘09 IAA in Frankfurt, the Hamann Largo is one of the most impressive tuning proposals for the Fiat 500 Abarth yet, putting to shame the official 180HP+ Ferrari-badged Abarth 695 special with its heavily modified 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that makes a jaw-dropping 265 horsepower at 5,630 rpm and 348Nm pr 257 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Pretty impressive if you consider that the base model makes a mere 135HP and 206Nm.

Hamann has yet to disclose performance figures, but we reckon that 265 ponies in a car the size and weight of the Fiat 500 should a spectacle worth seeing – don’t know about driving though…

A sport exhaust system that includes an end muffler with four pipes, a pre-muffler with a metal catalyser and a sport manifold along with a high-performance brake system with internally ventilated brake discs and 4-piston callipers up front and optional 257mm discs at the rear, as well as a sport suspension that lowers the car’s centre of gravity by up to 60 mm complete the list of performance mods.

Fiat Punto Evo

2010 Fiat Punto Evo Picture

2010 Fiat Punto Evo Interior

2010 Fiat Punto Evo Black Series

Fiat Punto Evo Wallpaper

True to Hamann’s nature, the Largo features an aggressively styled bodykit with new fender extensions that broaden the car body by 30mm at the front and 35mm at the back, beefy side skirts, front and rear aprons and a diffuser at the back.

The Largo rides on 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance sport tires measuring 215/35 ZR18 or optionally, 225/35 ZR18.

As for the interior, changes include but are not limited to, an aluminium pedal set, a door mat set and embroidered logos. Pricing and more details are to be announced at a later date.

Mercedes Benz ML450 Hybrid Luxury Cars

The Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid is the German automaker’s first production gas-electric hybrid, with a dual-mode system that matches exceptional power and torque with relatively good fuel economy. The hybrid crossover debuts at the 2009 New York Auto Show.

In this particular application, Mercedes-Benz mates a gasoline engine a specially designed 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), twin electric motors, four clutches and the company’s 4Matic all-wheel drive. The combination delivers 335 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque, while returning 21 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway. Zero-to-60 acceleration takes 7.8 seconds, and top speed is just over 130 mph.

Fisker Karma Car Wallpaper

Fisker Karma Front Angle View

Fisker Karma Car Wallpaper

Fisker Karma Interior

2010 Fisker Karma Side View

Fisker Karma Picture

2010 Fisker Karma Rear Angle View

Bugatti Unveils Trio of Special Edition Veyrons at Dubai Motor Show

To honor the importance of the Middle East market to its automotive business, Bugatti swiped the wraps off two unique cars, the Veyron “Sang d’Argent” and the Grand Sport “Soleil de Nuit”, as well as a special series of five Veyrons dubbed “Nocturne”, all of which will be sold only in the Middle East, at this week’s Dubai International Motor Show.

Limited to just five units, the Veyron Nocturne sports a black finish with polished aluminum body parts and custom rims along with galvanized side windows. Inside, this special edition Veyron features a black nanocoated magnesium dashboard and a centre console in galvanized Platinum.

Moving on to the one-off specials, the Veyron “Sang d’Argent” coupe combines a silver paint finish with polished aluminium parts and a Havanna interior with quilting pattern on seats and saddle and other personalized items.

The Grand Sport “Soleil de Nuit” features a two-tone paint scheme with the Black Blue Metallic color enriched by mirror shine body parts and trim while the interior is finished in a strong burnt orange shade.

All three cars will be available for delivery to their Middle East owners in the first quarter of 2010 with prices ranging from €1.45 million for the “Sang d’Argent” and €1.55 million for the “Soleil de Nuit”, the Veyron and Grand Sport one-off models, to €1.65 million for the five car “Nocturne” series.

Ferrari 599XX Official Photos Updated

q5customconcept Rumormill: Audi working on high performance Q5?

Once upon a time the in-house performance studios of Germany’s finest automakers wouldn’t have anything to do with crossovers and SUVs. But several Mercedes-Benz G55 AMGs and BMW X6 Ms later, Audi’s quattro GmbH is reportedly looking to join the fold with a pair of super-tuned Q5s.

The reports claim that Audi is preparing an SQ5 and an RSQ5, both backed by versions of the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 found in the latest S4 sedan, offering 333 horsepower in the SQ5 and as much as 408 in the RSQ5. Along with the engine upgrades, we could expect commensurate chassis, brakes and appearance enhancements as well.

For better or worse, these appear to be simple rumors at the time, but we’ll be keeping our eyes open for more info, so stay tuned.

Ferrari

Look for both Ferrari and Maserati to make each of their models rather distinct, practically creating sub-brands within the two companies. Sister automaker Maserati is also expected to release two new models, slotted below the GranTurismo, before 2015.
[Source: autocar.co.uk]

Coupe with 556HP Supercharged V8 Unveiled Ahead of Detroit Show

This here is the ultimate iteration of Cadillac’s brand-new CTS Coupe and it will make its first public outing at next week’s 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. To the surprise of no one, the CTS-V Coupe packs the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine found in the sedan version. It produces a hefty 556-horsepower and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747 Nm) propelling the 2+2 coupe from 0-60 mph (96km/h) in just 3.9 seconds.
Potential buyers will have the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift control, which transfer power to the rear wheels through a limited slip differential.

The V-spec model also gets Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport) and Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear.
Cadillac says that the Coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS-V Sport Sedan, but its overall height is about two inches (51 mm) lower and its overall length is two inches (51 mm) shorter while the rear track is nearly an inch wider than the four-door model.
Visually, the CTS-V Coupe is identified by its bulged hood, specific front and rear fascias, and unique 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 rubber.
There are no pictures of the interior, but Cadillac said that the steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter are covered in microfiber while the integrated center stack is trimmed in Obsidian black material that is also applied to the center console and door trim.
Available options will include an exclusive new Saffron color and special Recaro sport seats that are 14-way adjustable and include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.
We’ll have more on the CTS-V Coupe after its official debut at the Detroit motor show next week.

Saab 9-3 Aero Cabriolet Scooped In And Out

Can someone please explain to us why doesn’t Saab proceed to a full press unveiling of all the models? What’s the point of keeping all the details and photos locked in a PC if every single version of the facelifted 9-3 has been caught roaming the streets of Sweden without a trace of camouflage? Hello; anyone listening up there in Stockholm…

Back to our yellow-mellow Aero Convertible that’s wearing the 250Hp 2.8L V6. While we’re getting used to revised face inspired by the Aero X concept along with a return of Saab’s classic ‘clamshell’ hood design, we’re not at all keen with the rear end’s “I’ve got bruised eyes” looks. As for the interior?