Month: December 2011

Audi R8 5.2 FSI Akrapovic exhaust system

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Aftermarket exhaust specialist, Akrapovic, has released this track video featuring a V10-engined Audi V10 Spyder enjoying its products. The slip-on system is constructed from titanium and features integrated resonators and mufflers, finished off with carbon fibre tailpipe trims.

Not only does it look good, but moreover it undercuts the factory item by 16 kg (35 lbs) and releases a further 10 kW (14 hp) and 15 Nm (11 lbs-ft) of torque from the 5.2 FSI unit. There’s also an optional wireless Kit that operates the variable exhaust valves – depending on how much you want to annoy your neighbours.

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Astra GTC by Steinmetz

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Aachen-based Opel tuning specialist, Steinmetz, has unveiled its new program for the Astra GTC at this year’s Essen Motor Show.

The visual package includes a badgeless radiator grille that follows the design of the section in the bumper, a lower front spoiler, scalloped silver and anthracite decals down the flanks, polished stainless steel door handle covers and mirror caps, a roof spoiler and twin sports silencers.

The Astra sits 30 mm closer to the road thanks to a set of lowering springs, which hide behind those bi-colour 8.5 x 19-inch ST10 alloys wrapped in 245/40 tyres.

Inside the cabin, Steinmetz offers polished stainless steel sill plates, embroidered floor mats, a digital gear indicator and load protection film for the rear bumper.

[Source: Steinmetz]

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Opel Insignia gets twin turbo power

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Opel has added a twin-turbocharged diesel engine option to its Insignia range.

The new 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI engine develops 143 kW (195 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque, which helps the Insignia to crack 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 8.7 seconds and has a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph). Equally impressive is the fact that the front-wheel drive notchback model uses just 4.9 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres and has a CO2 emission figure of 129 g CO2/km.

The engine uses innovative sequential double-turbo technology – a first for diesel-engined cars in this mid-size car segment – which sees two different sized turbochargers set to activate at different engine speeds working either separately or together. The smaller (primary) one spools up quickly at lower engine speeds, while the larger turbocharger kicks in mid-range, providing a seamless increase in power – with minimal lag. From around 3000 rpm, all the engine’s exhaust gases flow directly to the larger unit.

Another new feature is the company’s “twin cooler system” which means the smaller ‘charger uses a water-cooled intercooler to keep temperatures down, while its big brother is cooled by a more substantial, conventional intercooler.

As an optional extra, all versions specified with four-wheel drive can benefit from the SuperSport chassis – a system usually reserved for the top-of-the-range 325 hp (239 kW) Insignia OPC (Opel Performance Centre) model. This package include the FlexRide system with electronically adaptive damping, HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) front wheel suspension and a high performance Brembo brake system.

[Source: Opel]

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Testing the 2012 Porsche Carrera 911

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Here’s a newly released video that gives an insight into the development of Porsche’s new Carrera 991 model. Engineers carried out rigorous testing in South Africa and the Arctic Circle, taking the car on the most demanding road trips imaginable in order to guarantee that the seventh-generation 911 will perform to Porsche Standards – no matter where it is on the planet.

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