Here’s a new trailer from Bulgaria’s Prospeed Motorsport featuring its Audi quattro – and a few other machines – competing during the European Hill Climb Championship.
Once again piloted by Nikolay Zlatkov, this Sport quattro S1 replica, which was built from a humble Coupe bodyshell, is churning out over 800 hp. So turn your speakers up.
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This new video from Motor Trend sees Justin Bell compare Lamborghini’s Aventador with one of its ancestors, the Countach, for the latest episode of its World’s Fastest Car Show series.
Built long before Audi took over the company in 1998, the wedge-shaped Countach was produced from 1974 to 1990. Initially powered by the Miura’s 4.0-litre V12 engine fed by six Weber carburetors, but capacity was increased over its lifetime, with the 5000QV model receiving a 5.2-litre unit that developed 253 kW (339 hp) in Europe and 309 kW (414 hp) in America where it used Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection.
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Winterlingen stylinghouse Lumma Design has released details of its CLR X5 RS program for the new BMW X5.
The aggressive body package comprises of a front bumper with large air intakes and integrated daytime running lights, a ventilated hood, front and rear wheel arch extensions with air outlets, side skirts, a tailgate spoiler and rear bumper with apertures for the quadruple tailpipes. Completing the aesthetics is a set of Lumma’s CLR 23 GT lightweight wheels. Measuring 11 x 23-inches, the matte black rollers are covered in 315/25 rubber all round.
Moving inside, as well as a sports steering wheel, aluminium pedals and the usual velour floor mats, Lumma confirmed that its upholstery department can carry out any request, using such materials as Alcantara, leather, or more exotic skins.
The company can also provide ECU software upgrades for all petrol and diesel-engined models in the X5 range.
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Kempten-based ABT Sportsline has officially revealed its AS6-R program to suit the current Audi S6 model.
Thanks to the ABT POWER S package, which consists of a pair of uprated turbochargers and remapped ECU software, output from the 4.0 TFSI V8 is raised from 309 kW (420 hp) and 550 Nm of torque to 441 kW (600 hp) and 750 Nm, taking it well into Audi RS 6 territory with a 310 km/h (192 mph) top speed and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds.
Other additions include a new exhaust system with quadruple tailpipes, while the carbon fibre aero package consists of a front apron with intake flics, mirror casings, side skirt add-ons and a rear spoiler. There’s also a rear bumper insert and some truly awful fender inserts.
ABT can also supply customers with a wide range of alloy wheels, including the DR items pictured here, which measure 9 x 21-inches and wear 265/30 ZR21 tyres.
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Giessen-based tuning specialist Leib Engineering has revealed its program to suit BMW’s feisty 1 Series M Coupe.
Visually Leib has fitted the Coupe with a pretty horrendous chequered plate-style matte grey foil along with a carbon fibre BMW Performance rear spoiler and Alpha-N diffuser section. A Bilstein B16 PSS10 suspension kit keeps the 1M planted, while the factory wheels have made way for a set of 10 x 20-inch
Bavaria BC5 Concave alloys, which have been painted baby blue and wrapped in 255/30 and 275/30 Yokohama Advan sports tyres.
Thankfully the Swiss company hasn’t messed the engine up. Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six developing 246 kW (335 hp) and 450 Nm of torque in standard form, Leib remaps the ECU software and adds a Supersprint exhaust system with adjustable flap operated via the M button, taking output to 298 kW (400 hp) and 560 Nm. If that doesn’t float your boat, the next stage involves upgraded turbochargers, a larger air intake and improved cooling, resulting in a very pleasant 373 kW (500 hp) and 600 Nm.
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MINI has offered a glimpse of its future model range at today’s MINI Design@Home event with the MINI Vision.
Presented as a virtual 3D hologram, the slippery-looking MINI Vision features elliptical full-LED headlights with daytime running light rings, a hexagonal radiator grille with integrated auxiliary lights, air intakes cut into the front wheel arches, an air-channelling roof spoiler and airflow-optimised wheels and retro-styled mirrors.
Finished in Glamorous Gold paintwork, the most striking part of the Concept is the utilization of ‘organo metal’ for the wheel arch extensions, side skirts, bumper skirts and trim strips running around the vehicle’s waistline. The mouldable material is formed by pressing fibres together into a composite, much like carbon fibre.
Moving inside, the cabin is an attack on the senses thanks to the Driving Experience Control switch that allows the driver to turn the ambient colour scheme of the interior a calm, dynamic or energy-charged shade – including the ‘MINI Disco’ floor, which brings the footwells alive. Is there a problem officer?
Other highlights include the Union flag design elastic fabric straps on the insides of the doors, customizable interior elements with the MINI click system, and the ability to choose either a classic, analogue-style view or a 3D look for the central display.
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