Month: December 2012

BMW M1 driven

by

BMW M1
Here’s a video from XCAR that takes a look at one of our all-time favourite cars: the BMW M1.

Just 456 production M1s were hand-built by the Motorsport division of BMW as a homologation special between 1978 and 1981. Powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-litre straight-six engine fed by six separate throttle bodies, the road cars produced 204 kW (273 hp), while their turbocharged racing counterparts developed as much as 634 kW (850 hp).

BMW had originally asked Lamborghini to build the M1, but financial woes put paid to that agreement. The body went on to be designed by Giugiaro, drawing inspiration from the stunning gullwing-doored 1972 BMW Turbo show car.

Read more

Abflug Mercedes-Benz SL R230

by

Abflug Mercedes-Benz SL R230
Japanese styling company Abflug has revealed its latest creation for the outmoded Mercedes-Benz SL-Class ahead of its début at next month’s Tokyo Auto Salon.

Looking like a McLaren P1 following a particularly nasty stroke, the extreme SL R230 Platinum aero package comprises of a front bumper, ventilated hood, front over-fenders, side skirts, colossal rear quarter panels, a wide rear bumper with capacious diffuser and an eerily-subtle boot lid spoiler.

Sitting on lowered suspension, the conversion is completed by a set of Abflug’s Prism III alloy wheels, which measure 9 and 11×20-inches and come wrapped in 255/30 and 305/25 Falken tyres.

Please, don’t have nightmares.

Read more

Santa’s 700 RP sleigh

by

Santaghini
Here’s a festive promo video from Lamborghini featuring its recently revealed Aventador Roadster.

Packing a 700 Reindeer Power 6.5-litre V12, the Santaghini Aventador can rocket to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds and onto a 350 km/h (217 mph) top speed, which means there’s always time for another milkshake before leaving the North Pole.

Read more

Volkswagen adds Life special editions

by

Volkswagen Life editions
Volkswagen Germany has introduced ‘Life’ special edition versions of its Polo, Golf, Jetta, Scirocco, Tiguan, Touran and Sharan models.

Elements in the package include special decals and seat coverings, alloy wheels, the company’s RCD 310 radio, Climatronic air conditioning and a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel.

Customers can also choose the ‘Life Plus’ option, which comprises of one-inch larger alloys and a panoramic sunroof, with Cabriolet owners receiving the RNS 315 radio navigation system and alarm system Plus instead.

Read more

RevoZport Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG

by

RevoZport Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG
Chai Wan-based tuning specialist RevoZport has revealed its Rezonance program to suit the Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG.

Visually, the aero package consists of a twin-deck carbon fibre front splitter, 30 mm wheel arch extensions, a roof spoiler and finned diffuser section. Filling out those wider arches is a set of bespoke 22-inch forged alloy wheel wrapped in 335-section tyres.

The company’s performance upgrade for the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine comprises of a remapped ECU software, a carbon induction system and a complete titanium exhaust system weighing just 6 kg. Those tweaks see output rise from 381 kW (518 hp) to 447 kW (600 hp).

Read more

Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet video

by

Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet
It’s taken eighteen months to come to fruition, but here’s the first glimpse of Volkswagen’s new Golf R Cabriolet.

Looking virtually identical to the Concept version, which made its début at last year’s Wörthersee event, the alacritous rag-top wears Bi-Xenon headlights, an aggressive front bumper with large air intakes and LED daytime running lights, side skirt extensions and a rear bumper with diffuser and dual tailpipes.

Sitting 25 mm lower than the regular Cabriolet, the R shares the hatchback’s Talladega alloy wheels as well as its 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI engine developing 199 kW (270 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, enough for a sub-six second sprint to 100 km/h and 250 km/h top speed.

Read more