Month: June 2013

Mercedes teases sub-SLS AMG model

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Mercedes C190
Mercedes-Benz has followed other manufacturers by releasing its own spy pictures, this time featuring the company’s baby SLS AMG.

Apparently codenamed C190, although it could wear the SLR badge when it reaches production, the new model is more compact than the SLS AMG and will be direct competition for Porsche’s 911. Weight will be kept down thanks to an all-aluminium subframe, with power rumoured to come from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 developing up to 447 kW (600 hp) in the range-topping Black Series version. That would make for a nice battle with the forthcoming Porsche 991 GT2.

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Roofless Porsche 991 Targa spotted

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Porsche 991 Targa
Supercar fanatic Dr Gumo Lunatic spotted this prototype Porsche 991 Targa on the streets of Stuttgart looking pretty much production-ready.

Rather than the sliding roof design of the 997 variant, Porsche has gone back to its roots by reverting to wrap-over B-pillars with a clip-in removable glass roof panel. The larger, convex rear window is another unique feature.

Once again it will be based on the wide-bodied Carrera 4 and 4S, meaning a choice of either a 257 kW (350 hp) 3.4-litre or 294 kW (400 hp) 3.8-litre version. Call us weird, but we’ve always been fans of the (ultra-rare) late eighties Turbo Targa and would love to see that particular model make a return.

The 991 Targa is expected to make its debut at the Los Angeles motor show in November before hitting dealerships early 2014.

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Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse vs Pagani Huayra

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Bugatti Veyron Vitesse vs Pagani Huayra
Following on from his Mille Miglia diary last week, here’s evo boss Harry Metcalfe with the magazine’s road test editor Henry Catchpole carrying out a hypercar head-to-head with the Bugatti Veyron Vitesse and Pagani’s Huayra.

Using the same 8.0-litre W16 from the 431 km/h Super Sport – complete with upgraded turbochargers, the Vitesse enjoys an elephantine 895 kW (1,200 hp) and 1,500 Nm of torque, rather than the usual 746 kW (1,001 hp) and 1,250 Nm seen in the regular open-topped model.

Powered by a revised version of the 6.0-litre Mercedes-AMG V12 Bi-Turbo engine from the SL 65 AMG Black Series, the Huayra produces a substantial 515 kW (690 hp) and 1,000 Nm of torque and, at 1,888 kg, is 538 kg lighter than the Veyron.

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Wald International previews Audi A7

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Wald International Audi A7
Japanese styling company Wald International has teased its new Audi A7 program with these images.

No details of the package were revealed, but we can see that the front bumper receives an apron with lip spoiler, side skirts, a subtle tailgate spoiler and rear bumper section with integrated diffuser. There’s also quad tailpipe kit reminiscent of Porsche 996 Turbo items.

Sport suspension systems and a choice of 20-inch alloys wheels will also be available.

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Revo Volkswagen T5 takes Nurburgring record

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Revo Volkswagen T5
We only have to look at Chris Harris’ battered Audi S4 Avant to see the wizardry of Revo Technik’s tuning skills in action. So, when Gloucester-based Transporterland let the guys from Northamptonshire loose on their Volkswagen T5, the results were always going to be impressive – regardless of the fact that it has almost 130,000 kilometres (80,000 miles) on the clock.

The 2.0 Twin Turbo Diesel received a Stage 2 Revo remap, an uprated intercooler and oil cooler from Forge and Milltek exhaust system, with other upgrades including a Bilstein B14 coilover suspension kit and Team Dynamics alloys wrapped in Dunlop tyres.

Now equipped with 164 kW (220 hp), the plan was to drive the T5 across Europe to the fabled Nurburgring to see if it could smash Sabin Schmitz’s ‘Bridge to Gantry’ time of 10 minutes and 8 seconds – which was set in a Ford Transit van for Top Gear.

Nordschleife veteran Dale Lomas was handed the keys to the Transporter and duly lapped the complete circuit – around a mile longer than the ‘Bridge to Gantry’ distance – in 9m 57.36s.

“The thing is an absolute hoot, and surprisingly nimble and compliant. It’s all a bit of fun really, but I’m delighted that we managed a full lap of the Nordschleife in under 10 minutes. I’d love to see what we could do on a clear track!” said Dale.

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