Lamborghini, Nissan

Under the hood, the 2.0 TDI engine received a power boost of 20 hp, developing now 190 hp, while the 3.0 TDI engine develops now 310 hp. The 2.0 TFSI engine was also boosted from 211 hp to 240 hp. More details when the official information will be released.
The Audi Q5 is not yet available in the U.S., and we can already show you the second tuner package for the car. After Digi-Tec, the Audi Q5 received another tuning program from another major German tuner, ABT. The new body kit consists in a new front grille in the ABT style, a completely re-designed front bumper with integrated fog lights, new stylish side sills, a new rear bumper with integrated exhaust system and rear air diffuser and a rear roof spoiler.

Nissan GT-R R35 Convertible Concept

Check out these interesting and unofficial Nissan GT-R R35 Convertible Renderings which recently showed up on AutoJunk.nl and DeviantArt.com. With all the hype surrounding the recently released Nissan GT-R and the sold out level of demand it has endured, it’s hard to fathom that Nissan would contemplate a convertible version.

I know most purist or GT-R cult leaders would drop their jaws if a convertible version would ever make its way out of momma Godzilla’s womb. Either way what do you think of the renderings? I think they are pretty slick, however I wouldn’t be caught dead owning or driving one (unless it was the GF’s).

The Scorpion is a Hydrogen/Gasoline Mix Supercar

Meet the Texan answer to the $150 oil barrel

Genius and madness often seem to share the same shoes, but rarely with such gleeful abandon as they do here, in the RNNM Scorpion.The brainchild of Ronn Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer of Ronn Motor Company, no less - a Texas outfit that simultaneously deserves a slap and a biscuit for its blind optimism. The Scorpion is a hydrogen/gasoline mix supercar that generates its hydrogen on demand by fracturing molecules from a small onboard water tank.

'A Texas outfit that simultaneously deserves a slap and a biscuit for its blind optimism'

If that wasn't complicated enough, it then mixes it with petrol at a ratio of about one to three, achieving the not terribly impressive fuel figure of around 40mpg.
There are no official performance figures given yet, but order books are open, apparently, and the first customer cars are - time to get out another biscuit here - going to be ready by the autumn.

2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan

If it doesn't impress you that Hyundai is about to bring its first rear-drive sedan to the U.S., starting under $30,000 and rising to $36,000 to $40,000-plus with the optional all-aluminum V-8, think of General Motors and Ford. Think of what GM is going through to bring sub-Cadillac rear-drive sedans back to the market. Of how Ford Motor Company doesn't have the cash to develop one.

2011 AMG Gullwing

Mercedes-Benz and its performance divisions AMG and HWA are working on a host of new sports cars with a number of prototypes already spotted testing at both the Nurburgring and America’s Death Valley. Yesterday, spy images of a new Black Series version of the facelifted SL surfaced and last month images of another prototype dubbed the SLC turned up. We now have new renderings of a third Mercedes sports car said to be in development, a gull-winged coupe based on a shortened SL platform described as a spiritual successor to the original 300 SL.

Rumored to hit the streets in 2010 or 2011, the new car will feature an upgraded version of AMG’s hand-built 6.2L V8 with power levels in excess of 600hp. The car is being developed internally by Mercedes and AMG engineers and production numbers are expected to range between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year.

Although the gull-wing doors draw obvious styling cues from the original model from the 1950s, the new car won’t be shamelessly retro. As these renderings suggest, the car will feature a sleek, aerodynamic body, circular headlights and SLR-style side vents.

Eat my sand: Dakar Rally

It's a good day for big cool stuff. Earlier, we saw that giant Volvo riot van/powerwasher thing, and now this: the probably-somewhat-faster but equally excellent-looking Mitsubishi Racing Lancer.

These are the first pictures we've seen of Mitsu's new cross-country rallier, which is shortly to make its race debut ahead of next year's Dakar rally.

Yep, that's the Dakar rally in South America. Confusing it may be, but Mitsubishi is out to win it, and reckons the Racing Lancer is the car to do it.

It's powered by a three-litre V6 turbodiesel - aye, diesel - with, we assume, enough torque to spin South America upside-down.

It looks pretty awesome, no? When the robots take over the cities and we're all forced to live a nomadic, hand-to-mouth existence, roaming the deserts and plains, we want one of these for company.

Sorry, did we say "when"? If. Obviously we meant "if".

H&R Dodge Challenger: Suspension for a thoroughbred

The new Dodge Challenger has the looks and power to capture the enthusiasm of any seasoned sports-car driver. To drive this impression home, H&R now introduces the matching suspension components. The result does not only look good; you will also feel the difference in handling of the V8. The 35 mm spring kit makes a noticeable improvement to the Challenger's behaviour in curves - virtually without any loss in ride quality. The 50 mm version may be more interesting for those who prefer a more extravagant look.

H&R's adjustable suspension can be set to increase steering accuracy while minimising pitching and rolling, giving the car a noticeable improvement in road performance; the adjustment options allow you to set the wheel loads according to the circumstances.

Naturally, all of the suspension components developed for the Dodge Challenger can be combined with optional H&R sport stabilizers/ anti roll bars. Ultra-sturdy aluminium alloy H&R TRAK+ spacers in 50 and 60 mm widening per axle also add character on either standard or custom tyres, in putting an end to the unsightly visual appearance left by the gap between the edge of the tyre and wheel arch.

The whole H&R programme is available for more than 1,200 vehicle types and is available at good specialist dealers; apart from the high quality we have come to know from the brand that H&R products always come with general permission for road use (ABE) or a TÜV part certificate for German residents. In Germany the Dodge Challenger suspension components are only available at a special distribution partner.

2009 Lotus Exige Cup 260: Now Even Lighter

Lotus Motor Company released its Exige Cup 260 for the 2008 model year to terrorize much larger and more pricier cars on race tracks around the world. For 2009, the British automaker has spiced things up by adding lightness in the marque's grand tradition. Weight drops by over 80 pounds this year to just under a ton thanks to carbon fiber. Fit with a 257-horsepower 1.8-liter Toyota (Tuned Celica Engine) air force fed through an intercooler by an Eaton M62 supercharger, the '09 Exige Cup 260 should hit 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. Electronic goodies such as launch control combined with variable traction control, plus 40 kilograms of downforce at 100 mph, do their best to keep the car planted on the track.

ABT, is one of the first tuners to get their hands on the new VW Scirocco, which has already begun to sell in European dealerships. This German tuner has made an aggressive looking bodykit for VW’s sport coupe that includes a new front bumper with a lip spoiler, side skirts with air inlets, a larger roof spooler, a rear skirt that incorporates a diagonally attached set of four tail pipes and a boot wing. For just a little more they have also added the feature of the option of 18" or 20" alloy rims.

The suspension brings the car 30 mm closer to the ground. This package will be available in Germany on January at the price of €5,990 or $8,300 USD.

For recreational purpose customers can also upgrade the engine's performance with ABT’s engine kits which raise the 1.4-liter TSI’s output from 160 to 200HP, the 2.0 TSI’s from 200 to 240HP and the 2.0 TDI’s from 140 to 170HP. The engine modifications can be combined with a set of larger and better disk brakes.

ABT, is one of the first tuners to get their hands on the new VW Scirocco, which has already begun to sell in European dealerships. This German tuner has made an aggressive looking bodykit for VW’s sport coupe that includes a new front bumper with a lip spoiler, side skirts with air inlets, a larger roof spooler, a rear skirt that incorporates a diagonally attached set of four tail pipes and a boot wing. For just a little more they have also added the feature of the option of 18" or 20" alloy rims.

The suspension brings the car 30 mm closer to the ground. This package will be available in Germany on January at the price of €5,990 or $8,300 USD.

For recreational purpose customers can also upgrade the engine's performance with ABT’s engine kits which raise the 1.4-liter TSI’s output from 160 to 200HP, the 2.0 TSI’s from 200 to 240HP and the 2.0 TDI’s from 140 to 170HP. The engine modifications can be combined with a set of larger and better disk brakes.

VW Scirocco Tuned by ABT

ABT, is one of the first tuners to get their hands on the new VW Scirocco, which has already begun to sell in European dealerships. This German tuner has made an aggressive looking bodykit for VW’s sport coupe that includes a new front bumper with a lip spoiler, side skirts with air inlets, a larger roof spooler, a rear skirt that incorporates a diagonally attached set of four tail pipes and a boot wing. For just a little more they have also added the feature of the option of 18" or 20" alloy rims.

The suspension brings the car 30 mm closer to the ground. This package will be available in Germany on January at the price of €5,990 or $8,300 USD.

For recreational purpose customers can also upgrade the engine's performance with ABT’s engine kits which raise the 1.4-liter TSI’s output from 160 to 200HP, the 2.0 TSI’s from 200 to 240HP and the 2.0 TDI’s from 140 to 170HP. The engine modifications can be combined with a set of larger and better disk brakes.

New: Volkswagen Golf GTI

Since the debut of the first and the discontinuation of the fifth generation, more than 1.7 million buyers made the GTI to the world’s bestseller. Now the new GTI is at the ready: at the Paris Motor Show (4th to 19th October 2008) Volkswagen will be demonstrating the design study of the new Golf GTI at its world premiere.

The GTI suspension with a new electronic limited-slip diff (XDS) defines curves and traction in a completely new way. A GTI with a top speed of 240 km/h that with its 155 kW / 210 bhp strong turbocharged engine is even more fun and, on average, only uses 7.5 litres.

The sixth generation Golf GTI will go into series production in the spring of 2009 – as usual with a unique connection between sporty suspension and agile engine. The engine develops already at 1,800 rpm a maximum torque of 280 newton metres. The sprint from 0 to 60mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds. A stand-off between wind resistance and output occurs only just at 240 km/h.

Lowered by 22 millimetres and equipped with a new sports suspension, the springs, shock absorbers and rear anti-roll bars of the design study have been completely reworked. Furthermore, the optional adaptive chassis control DCC feature will also be available for the future GTI.

"We wanted a purposefully clear GTI design. A car that has power but also style," summarises the Volkswagen AG's chief designer Walter de’Silva. The design study of the sixth generation presented in Paris blends in both style elements of the GTI icons. Details like the typical honeycombed radiator grill and the V-shaped bonnet, stretching over the head lights, contribute to the GTI V. The clean and horizontal structure clearly originates from the GTI I. Because of the styling as well as the underlining horizontal graphic of the front section the Golf GTI design study appears visually wider (1.78 meter), lower (1.47 meter) and more dynamic than any other car in its class.