Month: July 2011

Kempten Volkswagen tuning specialists Abt Sportsline has released information and renderings based around a tuning package for the 2012 Beetle. Hans-Jürgen Abt recalls dropping an aircooled 90 hp Bus engine into an original Bug and stiffening its suspension to make it more fun on winding roads, and believes its successor will benefit from the same treatment.

These days, power upgrades don’t require a tool chest and oil underneath the fingernails, more a laptop and remapping knowledge. Abt is expecting to extract 140 hp from the 1.2 TSI (up from 105 hp), 210 hp from the 1.4 TSI (up from 160 hp) and up to 240 hp from the 2.0L turbo model.

Visually the Abt Beetle receives a front spoiler, rear valance, diffuser and extended side sills. We’re not sure about the light covers and those graphics, but we quite like the 19-inch ABT CR wheels.

[Source: ABT Sportsline]

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Chai Wan-based styling house Revozport has created an aggressive kit for the Mercedes-Benz E-class coupé and cabriolet models. At the front there’s a replacement bumper and redesigned lightweight bonnet made from carbon kevlar which results in an 8kg weight saving – not to mention the extra cooling. Carbon also features in the production of the grille, Side Skirts, trunk spoiler, roof spoiler and unique F1-inspired antenna airfoil.

[Source: Revozport]

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Goodwood’s Hill Climb never fails to thrill show goers, and 2011 was no exception. A highlight was Finnish rallying legend Juha Kankunnen in the Bentley Continental Supersports convertible that he broke the world ice-speed record in. Kankkunen drove the Supersports convertible on the frozen waters of the Baltic Sea at 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h), breaking his previous record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h).

“Driving this very special Bentley Continental in front of the packed Goodwood grandstands was a special experience for me,” explained Kankunnen.

[Source: Bentley]

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