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The G-Power name has become synonymous with extreme BMWs, which is working at creating the world's fastest BMWs. Its G-Power M6 Hurricane CS based on the BMW M6 Coupe has a recorded top speed of 367.4km/h (228mph) --- making it the fastest BMW Coupe in the world.
Now G-Power has also unveiled a new performance upgrade for the M3 and they called it Tornado. Why this name? In fact, the new car fits in perfectly with that description.
While the standard M3 already has a fairly potent 420hp (312kW) under the hood, G-Power's engineers have taken the car into true supercar territory with a new supercharger system that raises the final power output to a heady 500hp (373kW). Using relatively soft charging of just 4.4psi (0.3bar) boost from the T1-518 ASA centrifugal supercharger (the same system used in certain Alpina models), G-Power claims that its M3 constantly provides around 20% more torque than the standard model.
The sueprcharger system also uses a large volume air box, including eight lightweight integral resonance induction pipes, which are responsible for improved throttle response and creating an optimal torque curve. Finally, the supercharger system is completed by the large air-to-air intercooler that is located up front and cools the boost temperature down for added performance and reliability.
The result of the new performance system gives the G-Power M3 a top speed in excess of 200mph, while the sprint to 124mph is dispensed within just 13.5 seconds - more than two seconds quicker than the stock M3.
Custom wheels and Michelin sport tires help put the power down onto the road, along with a new continuously height-adjustable G-Power coil-over suspension system with nine settings to help the BMW more effectively use that extra power. Additionally, G-Power offers a new sports rear muffler to give the M3 a deeper roar, and also lighten the car's final weight by close to 15kg.
Capping off the upgrades is a new interior, decked out in carbon-fiber panels, a custom G-Power speedo that goes up to 223mph, aluminum pedals and tailor made leather seats.
Incidentally, The G-Power BMW M3 Tornado has been thoroughly tested in the hot temperatures of the United Arab Emirates for performance and reliability.
Chevrolet is planning a series of updates for the Corvette for the 2010 model year, with changes affecting the entire lineup, from the base model all the way up to the scorching ZR1 supercar. First and foremost is the introduction of the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport Model. While introducing at the National Corvette Museum in April, Team Corvette members Harlan Charles and Tadge Juechter both said that people will be pleased when the final price of the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport Model is announced.
Now here comes the result. 2010 Grand Sport Coupe starts at $55,720 including DFC, while 2010 Grand Sport Convertible starts at $59,530 including DFC. That’s a $6,205 increase over the price of the base 2009 Corvette Coupe and $5,360 over the price of the base Corvette Convertible, respectively, but you will be happy to see that the Grand Sport replaces the Corvette's previous Z51 package which costs $1,695 and you are essentially looking at $3,665-4510 upgrade for the new wide-body design, complete with Z06 brakes, tuned suspension and a better 0-60 mph performance of 4.0 vs 4.2.
The LS3 engine’s output has been kept at 430hp (321kW) and 424lb-ft (575Nm) of torque, however, an optional two-mode exhaust system boosts output to 436hp (325kW) and 428lb-ft (580Nm). Furthermore, all manual Corvettes for 2010 receive a new launch control system.
Specific modifications include wider front and rear fenders with unique badging, a Z06-style front splitter and rear spoiler, new brake ducts, unique 18in wheels with 275mm tires up front and 19in units shod with 325mm rubber in the rear, Z06-spec brakes include 355mm rotors with six-piston calipers up front and 340mm rear rotors with four-piston calipers.
All of the Corvette's exterior colors are offered on the Grand Sport and an available ‘Heritage’ package adds iconic front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. The sticker price for this Z15 GS Heritage Package should be released when full pricing is announced for 2010 Chevrolet Corvette lineup in the near future.
Incidentally, a quick check on some of the forums shows that people are generally pleased with the pricing of the new model. The new Corvette Grand Sport should have a good sell.
The Nissan 370Z is available in the markets of Japan and the US in a high-performance trim by Nismo, but the model will not be available for Europe. However, Nissan is offering a special edition to its European buyers, which is patterned after the yellow Nissan 370Z race car that participated in the Nurburgring 24 hour competition just recently. It’s so called 370Z Nurburgring Edition.
This special edition features a number of performance modifications and is limited to just 80 copies. Not surprisingly, pricing of the vehicle reflects this limited availability and exclusive quality and has been set at €50,400 (approximately $71,280).
Each vehicle will come with a uniquely numbered plate, as well as unique 19in OZ Racing alloy wheels shod with 285mm tires in the rear and 255 tires up front, including a Cobra performance exhaust system. A special ring card with €150 ($212) of credit will also be offered to customers, which they can use for public track days on the Nurburgring circuit.
Apart from the new exhaust system, the car’s powertrain has been left untouched which means it features the most current 3.7L V6 engine with 332hp (247kW) and 270lb-ft (366Nm) on tap. Standard on this model is the six-speed manual equipped with SynchroRev Match function from Nissan.
It’s reported that in the next couple of years BMW will be releasing a number of its latest models including new variants of its present top selling models and some models that have never been seen yet. The new X1, revealed in spy photos, is a new crucial model of BMW and will take the carmaker into the compact SUV market currently dominated by the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
The spy shots of the new X1 shows its outlines and curves under the least amount of camouflage. The checkered cladding does obscure the details, but the overall feel of the vehicle is definitely there. Most notable is the completely undisguised grille, and the sporty new front and rear bumpers. Front and rear lights are similar to the 5-Series GT and 7-Series sedan, respectively.
The new X1’s running gear is based on the 1-series compact car but its ride height will be taller. The car is actually expected to use a mixture of 1-series and 3-series parts, sort of bridging the size gap between the two - not that the gap was large to begin with. BMW’s X-drive AWD system will also feature.
Engine options will range from a 145hp (108kW) 1.8L four-cylinder petrol engine to a range-topping 3L turbodiesel. Transmissions will include a conventional six-speed manual as well an optional six-speed self shifter.
Much of the car’s components will also be shared with an upcoming SUV model from Mini to save on development costs, although the BMW model is expected to be significantly larger than the Mini
The production version of the X1 will be shown for the first time to the general public at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Production volume is expected to top the 100,000 mark and will start at a BMW plant in Leipzig by the middle of the year. Pricing is unknown at this time, but it will most likely be set between the 1 Series and the X3, likely starting close to the $30,000 mark.
Under the company's over-riding vision - DRIVe Towards Zero, Swedish automaker Volvo announced that it will team up with Swedish energy utility Vattenfall to create a new plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2012. In fact, the two companies began working together since 2007 to explore the technology that makes plug-in vehicles a reality.
Although still three years off, Volvo has also announced that it will launch three Volvo V70 demo models in Europe this summer. These demo cars will be use to learn more about their customers' attitudes. Vattenfall is looking for the fastest, and most efficient methods to charge vehicles, while Volvo will be trying to get a better feel for driving habits. Over time, the electricity utility also hopes to figure out how to reduce charging time to a minimum.
Volvo and Vatenfall plan to use an electric motor deriving power from a lithium-ion battery pack. Depleted batteries would charge in about five hours, presumably from a 220V wall socket. Their vehicle will use regenerative braking to also help keep the batteries charged. An extensive range is not expected. Any vehicle created looks to be specifically for routine distances.
"Most car journeys are short trips, for instance to and from work. We will be able to offer a product that fulfils this transportation need. In order to cover longer distances as well, the car will also be equipped with one of Volvo's fuel-efficient diesel engines," writes Volvo head Stephen Odell. Any car created will have at least an all-electric range of 50 km per charge. This number would likely need to rise if their project is to be taken seriously.
However, the two companies acknowledge that any vehicle coming out of the partnership will be more expensive than a conventional car. The reasons for this include the high price of batteries, and the cost of research and development. Although electricity in Sweden costs a fraction of the cost of conventional fuels, getting customers to pony up extra cash up front in this economy will be difficult. The two companies are hoping things will turn around by the time their new vehicle is released. They also hope that a €3 per 100km running cost will be a big selling point.
Still, the environment will be a big selling point for any new Volvo plug-in hybrid. As such, Vatenfall will allow customers to only purchase electricity from "green" sources, like windpower and hydropower. Meanwhile, the utility claims they are working on reducing emissions across their entire electricity production lineup, in a push to be more sustainable.
"Through electric power, we avoid the emissions from each individual car. Instead of petrol or diesel, the energy is derived from a few large power sources and Vattenfall is working hard to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from all electricity production. In Sweden, virtually all Vattenfall's electricity production is emission-free," said Vattenfall chief Lars G Josefsson.
Few days ago, Volkswagen revealed its latest Touran Freestyle, which is claimed to be the most economical and sportiest Touran of all times. The German manufacturer has announced that this model particularly focused on fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Indeed, the new Touran Freestyle brings a fuel efficiency increase of around 0.6 points over the standard model, with CO2 emissions standing around 144 g/km.
There are two available powerplant choices for the VW Touran Freestyle, the 75kW (102hp) and the 103kW (140hp) and two diesel units, consisting of a 77kW (105hp) unit and a 103kW (140hp) unit and also an EcoFuel powerplant which comes with 110kW (150PS).
Besides the eco-technologies, the car also boosts driving dynamics, sporty look and graceful movement. On the outside the special model comes with outstanding sporty appearance caused by its Sedona 16 inch light alloy wheels and Chrome grille. Black headlights, smoke-gray tail and darkened rear and side windows are also included in the package.
Interiors have been customized as well, with the gearshift knob and the handbrake lever covered in leather. The multifunction steering wheel boasts leather trim as well plus aluminum decorations. A RNS 310 radio-navigation system, heated front seats, automatically heated windshield washer nozzles and a multi-function display are also included in the package.
The model seems to be quite affordable, as it is sold for 25,925 euros. However, the car is currently available in Germany, but it might be released in other markets as well.
Revere London, a new luxury tuner, has unveiled its first project, a heavily modified Range Rover Sport, dubbed the HSR.
On the Range Rover Sport, Revere offers an aggressive new bodykit that gives the SUV some edge over the standard model. Up front, there is a custom Revere London front bumper that gives the appearance that the vehicle is sitting lower to the ground. There is also a new front grille, as well as color-coded side vents. At the rear, a custom bumper with tailpipe box replacements is also available.
Other cosmetic modifications offered are varying and comprehensive - for example, customers can choose to have the door handles color-matched with the rest of the body, or have the 'Range Rover' letters themselves painted or removed completely.
In terms of engine upgrades, there are a number of options available depending on what engine is in the particular model. ECU reprogramming for the range-topping 4.2L Supercharged V8 engine results in a lift to power of 410hp (305kW), and coupled with custom exhaust kits, upgraded Brembo brakes and new suspension components the Revere London Range Rover Sport should prove to be a little more fun than the standard model.
Finally, a variety of interior modifications is available, including high-quality leather upholstery and Alcantara lined steering wheels. Audio and visual upgrades are also available, along with items like custom umbrella holders and umbrellas.
The standard kit with front and rear bumpers, foglamps and stainless-steel exhaust tips is priced at the equivalent of $6,390. More details can be found on Revere London's Web site.
