BMW Gran Coupe Concept confirmed for production as 6-Series

BMW has confirmed the Gran Coupe Concept has been approved for production. Design will be shared with the new 6 Series Coupe.

Speaking at an event in Munich, Klaus Draeger, a member of BMW's Board of Management, stated the GCC will become a 6-Series "four-door coupe." While he didn't go into specifics, he hinted the car would launch in late 2012.

To be marketed as the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe, there are several different engines which will be offered: two petrols, two diesels, a hybrid, and an M version. This means we can expect a 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS) 3.0-liter six-cylinder, a 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS) 4.4-liter V8, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel with 204 hp (152 kW / 207 PS), a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel with 245 hp (183 kW, 248 PS), a hybridized 3.0-liter petrol with a 54 hp (40 kW / 55 PS) electric motor, and a twin-turbo V8 with 555 hp (408 kW / 563 PS) to 570 hp (425 kW / 578 PS).

Besides talking about the production GCC, Draeger mentioned BMW has designed and built a 6-Series Shooting Brake. It hasn't been green-lighted, but market evaluation studies are currently underway.

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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Audi A7 leaked

Several pictures of the 2011 Audi A7 have leaked ahead of the car's unveiling tomorrow.

As expected, the production version closely resembles the A7 Sportback concept which debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The front end features an aggressive bumper, LED headlights, and a single frame grille. In profile, the A7 suffers from a minor case of Panamera-itus. Thankfully, the sloping roofline mitigates the styling concessions of the rear hatch, but overall, it still leaves something to be desired.

Inside, the cabin boasts leather upholstery, wood trim, and a pop-up navigation system. The overall design is reminiscent of the A8, but there are subtle differences which make the A7 cockpit unique. The door pads are redesigned, the center console is revised, and the dashboard has more wood trim.

Under the hood, engine options will include a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 272 PS (200 kW), a 4.2 liter V8 with 377 PS (277 kW), a 3.0-liter TDI with 253 PS (184 kW), and a 4.2 liter TDI with 355 PS (258 kW). Regardless of what engine is selected, a seven-speed DSG transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive will be standard.

Stay tuned to WCF for full coverage of the A7's unveiling at the Pinakothek der

www.worldcarfans.com

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Second generation SSC Ultimate Aero to debut August 8th

The next-generation Shelby Supercars Ultimate Aero is coming next month and it has its sites set on defeating the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport as the world's fastest road car.

We don't know yet exactly what the next Ultimate Aero will be packing under the bonnet but, if it's going to take on the Veyron Super Sport's 1,200 hp and record 431 km/h (268 mph) top speed, it will need more than the 1,183 horsepower that the former Ultimate Aero TT delivered - the previous record-holder.

And in the rivalry for top-dog status amongst supercar makers, that Aero TT itself had broken an earlier record by the Veyron with a top speed of over 255 mph/410 km/h.

The Ulimate Aero, designed by Jason Castriota, creator of the Maserati GranTurismo, will have to feature improvements in power and aerodynamics if it is going to accomplish the task. We await details on what those improvements will be.

Shelby Supercars has picked the appropriate setting for the unveiling - Boeing's Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA. The event will take place Sunday, August 8.

source : http://www.worldcarfans.com/110072327521/second-generation-ssc-ultimate-aero-to-debut-august-8th

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2012 Dodge Durango / Magnum spied uncovered

Kudos to our friends over at Autoblog, who spotted this photo of the 2012 Dodge Durango on social networking site Twitter. The large SUV shows many changes compared to the current model.

The Durango, which may come to market as the Magnum, has a reshaped grille with rounded sides, and intersecting darkened chrome bars. It features a remodeled bumper, new headlights, a broader hood, and nicer sidesills. It also looks to have body colored mirrors with indicators built in, and completely redesigned side windows with a blended in b-pillar and a thicker c-pillar. The new rear side window features a teardrop shape, giving the vehicle a more stylish look than the current version.

Look for the new Durango to be released sometime next year, possibly after an introduction in Detroit at the NAIAS. It could get a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that delivers 280 hp (209 kW, 284 PS), and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 360 hp (268 kW, 365 PS).

source : twitter.com via autoblog.com and www.worldcarfans.com

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2011 Saleen S302

The 2011 Saleen S302, based on the 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0, debuts this weekend at the Carlisle Ford Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Saleen Performance Vehicles said the first S302 coupes and convertibles should reach dealerships "in the coming weeks."

The S302's 5.0-liter V8 makes 425 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, compared with 412 hp and 390 lb-ft in the stock 2011 Mustang GT. The S302 also features a six-speed manual gearbox, LSD and 3.73:1 final drive ratio, as well as a Saleen Performance exhaust system and Racecraft suspension upgrades.

Saleen has performed the usual exterior modifications, including a new grille, hood, side skirts, front and rear fascias and rear wing. The car rides on 20-inch Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires mounted on Saleen Speedstar seven-spoke chrome alloy wheels.

New leather sport buckets with Ultrasuede inserts have been installed, as well as a piano black center console, revised gauges and a leather-wrapped shift lever.

source : http://www.insideline.com

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G-Tech Abarth 500 RS-S

G-Tech has unveiled a new performance package for the Abarth 500.

Dubbed the RS-S, the package features Garrett loaders, larger injectors, new spark plugs, and a cat back exhaust system. These modifications enable the 1.4-liter engine to produce 207 hp (154 kW / 210 PS) and 310 Nm (229 lb-ft) of torque, instead of 135 hp (103 kW / 138 PS) and 206 Nm (152 lb-ft). This allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, before topping out at an electronically limited 226 km/h (140 mph).

Other goodies include a coilover suspension, green body accents, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

This particular car is priced from €29,360 ($37,745), but you can order the components individually.

source: www.worldcarfans.com

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Next generation Volkswagen Caddy revealed

Volkswagen has unveiled its latest commercial compact van earlier this week. The new Volkswagen Caddy will be sold with four choices of diesel engines, two of which are BlueMotion units, and two petrol models. The two BlueMotion TDI engines produce 75 and 102 PS (55 and 75 kW), but more powerful 110 and 140 PS (81 and 103 kW) turbo diesels are also on offer. Each features common rail direct injection and a particulate filter. While the 102 PS unit can get a seven-speed DSG and four-wheel drive, the 140 PS version gets hooked up to a remodeled six-speed DSG. To help keep fuel consumption low, the two BlueMotion units also get start/stop and regenerative braking. Consumption figures were only revealed for the 102-PS engine, which used 4.9 liters of diesel per 100 km, compared to 6.6 liters of fuel used by the most powerful petrol engine on offer. Two turbocharged direct injection TSI 1.2-liter petrol engines crank out 86 and 105 PS (63 and 77 kW). The 102-PS unit spews out 154 grams of CO2 per km. Several models of the van will be sold, including the panel and kombi versions of the Caddy, the Startline, Trendline and Comfortline versions for a more comfortable Caddy, and the Tramper camper van. All models of the van use a removable second row of seats, a first for the Caddy. Those buying the Caddy will find 3,030 liters of cargo space, but those needing a larger model can opt for the Caddy Maxi, which uses an extended wheelbase and ups cargo to 3,880 liters. Each model also gets ESP, daytime running lights and hill assist. Pricing has been reduced on the new Volkswagen Caddy, with a new retail tag beginning at €13,595 not including taxes. Those wanting a Startline model can expect to pay a minimum of €14,205. German sales for the VW Caddy will begin in September, with sales kicking off in other markets soon after. source : www.worldcarfans.com

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Maserati Quattroporte S and Sport GT S by Novitec Tridente

German tuning firm Novitec Tridente has released a new tuning package for the Maserati Quattroporte. Modifications to the eight-cylinder 4.7-liter engine boost power by over 37 percent.

This means a jump of 160 hp (118 kW) on the Quattroporte S to a total 590 hp (434 kW). Torque on the engine is improved by allmost 17 percent to a maximum of 572 Nm (422 lb-ft). On its own, the engine converstion costs a minimum €19,900.

It translates to a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 4.6 seconds, and 14.9 seconds to 200 km/h (124 mph). Top speed on the car is 295 km/h (183 mph).

The engine tuning package is also available for the Quattroporte Sport GT S. Mods include a cogged-belt-driven mechanical supercharger with 0.35 bar boost pressure, water-to-air intercooler, with its own water circulation system, larger injectors, and a custom intake manifold. Naturally, the engine control unit was also adapted.

Customers can also order three-piece 21-inch wheels measuring 9J in front and 11J in back, wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires. To add to the car's sporty look, engineers also developed a new carbon fiber rear spoiler. A coil-over suspension is available with several settings and continuous height adjustment.

New interior equipment may also be purchased, such as leather, Alcantara, and various entertainment equipment. Pricing on non-engine related modifications were not revealed.

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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BMW 5-Series F10 Hamann

Hamann has unveiled the first styling package for the 2011 BMW 5-Series (F10).

The body kit features a front spoiler (mounts to OE bumper), aggressive side skirts, a rear bumper center valence, a roof-mounted spoiler, and a trunk-mounted spoiler. If that doesn't spark your interest, Hamann also offers a lowering kit (which reduces ride height approximately 35mm), 20-inch wheels, LED daytime running light inserts (mounts to OE bumper), and a stainless steel four-tailpipe sport exhaust system (for the 550i).

Inside, customers can order a carbon fiber package (which adds trim pieces to the dashboard, doors, center console, and steering wheel), aluminum pedals, and branded floor mats.

Pricing information wasn't released, but the accessories will "be available shortly."

source: www.worldcarfans.com

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Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R

For the 2011 model year, Hyundai will release an R-Spec version of the Genesis Coupe with the DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine. The car will be able to hit 149 mph thanks to the 306-horsepower (228-kW) engine and its close ratio six-speed manual transmission. Other features on the car include 13.4-inch (340-mm) front, 13.0-inch (330-mm) rear ventilated discs, with four-piston red brake calipers, all from Brembo. Surrounding this are new 19-inch alloy wheels, painted in gunmental, and covered by Bridgestone Potenza tires. Aside from the limited-slip differential, the car also gets a track-tuned suspension with performance shocks and springs, 25-mm front and 22-mm rear stabilizer bars, and a front strut brace. A front camber kit is included, and can be installed at the dealership if need be. Control systems on the car include anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic stability and traction control. Six airbags are also installed. Automatic headlights, cruise control and various metal trim pieces are not added to the car in effort to bring down cost and weight. Despite this, black leather with red cloth inserts are included. Automatic transmission is also not an option on the car. You can read more about the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec in the press release below. Look for the car to be slotted just below the 3.8 Grand Touring, and be priced at about $26,750. source : www.worldcarfans.com

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MTE Volkswagen Golf IV R32 - 790hp

MTE has unveiled a highly modified Volkswagen Golf IV R32.

Under the hood, the German tuner speciallizing in turbo conversions installed turbos plus intercooler along with larger injectors, modified cylinder head, forged pistons, high performance camshafts, and an optimized ECU. Thanks to these tweaks, the twin-turbo 3.2-liter V6 pushing 2.2 bar of boost with a compression ratio of 7.8:1 produces 790 hp (589 kW / 801 PS) and 1200 Nm (885 lb-ft) of torque. This allows the car to run the quarter mile in 10.7 seconds at 216 km/h (134 mph).

To cope with the abundance of power, MTE added a Sachs two-disc sintered clutch in addition to a KW Coilover 'Club Sport' suspension, semi-slick tires, and a high-performance braking system (with 360mm discs and six-piston Brembo calipers).

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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Ferrari 458 Challenge REVEALED

Ferrari has unveiled the 458 Challenge at the company's annual dealer meeting in Maranello.

Based on the 458 Italia, the Challenge features a modified dual-clutch F1 gearbox, an 'E-Diff' electronic differential, and an 'F1-Trac' traction control system with settings for wet / dry conditions. Other goodies include a race suspension (with solid aluminum bushings, stiffer springs, and single-rate dampers), high performance Brembo CCM2 brakes (from the 599XX), and 19-inch wheels outfitted with Pirelli tires.

To reduce the car's weight, Ferrari used thinner body panels, carbon fiber components, and Lexan windows. While the company declined to release detailed specifications, the 458 Italia scales in at 1380 kg (3042 lbs).

Power is provided by a 4497 cc V8 engine that produces 570 PS (562 hp / 419 kW) and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque. It enables the race car to lap the Fiorano test circuit in 1 minute, 16.5 seconds - two seconds faster than the F430 Challenge.

According to Ferrari, the 458 Challenge "...is extremely responsive, with great performance and superb handling. This mid-rear V8-engined berlinetta will allow Ferrari Challenge participants to enjoy to the full the exhilarating cut and thrust of the race weekends on the world's leading circuits, as well as the passion that has always been an integral part of Ferrari's one-make championship."

source: www.worldcarfans.com

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Dodge launches Viper Cup Series

Even though Dodge recentlyended production of the Viper, the model is still getting a racing series of its own.

The 2010 Dodge Viper Cup began its season at the Virginia International Raceway this past weekend (July 10 and 11) and will feature 10 races in all taking place over the summer and fall. Participating in the series will be 12 Dodge Viper ACR-X race cars and race coverage will be provided by sports channel VERSUS, which will broadcast 30-minute edited versions of each race.

The Viper ACR-X is non-street legal race car fitted with an 8.4 liter V10 engine with 640 hp ( 477 kW) and 605 lb-ft (820 Nm) of torque, slightly more than the production Viper. Dodge had built a total of 50 units of the race-only Viper. It comes with a roll-cage and a specially-tuned race suspension, amongst other racing component additions.

The racing series is being sponsored by Michelin tires and features a top prize of $25,000. Drivers participating in some of the races include Shaun Bailey of Road and Track magazine and an Olympic bobsledder, Mike Kohn, who is currently a sergeant in the Army National Guard.

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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2011 Peugeot 508

Peugeot has released official details of the all-new 508, an upmarket car that replaces the 407 range. Earlier WCF published leaked photos of the car. Marketing gurus from the French marque describe the 508 as being full of French chic, with an elegant and timeless exterior design.

Peugeot is moving uptown with the 508 and as such, materials used are said to be of higher quality than its predecessor. It has a larger boot and shows a general increase in interior space.

Cutting C02 emissions is paramount to Peugeot's sales strategy, and the 508 is said to lower emissions while improving engine performance. Dynamics are also said to be up a notch and weight is kept to a minimum.

The new e-HDi stop and start system offers a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 15%, according to Peugeot. The big news of course is that the brand's Hybrid4 technology will become available after launch. It will feature 200 bhp (147kW / 203 PS) performance and an AWD system. Emissions are 99g/km in normal combined driving or 0g/km in full electric mode.

Peugeot will start selling the 508 in sedan and SW (wagon) from the beginning of 2011 following their public debut at the 2010 Paris International Motor Show in October. Europe will get a French-built model while China will market its own built-in-China version.

source:www.worldcarfans.com

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RDX Racedesign VW Scirocco

The team at German tuning outfit RDX Racedesign have created a sporty and dynamic package for the Volkswagen Scirocco. Using thermoplastic for new body parts, the company did their best to keep weight low.

For the Scirocco, the company developed an aerodynamic kit that includes a new, TUV-certified front spoiler, subtly redesigned sidesills with grille elements built in at the rear, and a rear bumper extension with diffuser and mesh. Also added at the back is a new TUV-certified roof spoiler.

All of the body parts combine for a cost of €686. However, it may be worth spending the extra €49 for the darkened headlight covers, which look terrific against the dark three-door. All of the parts are available on any trim level Scirocco, and the company lets dissatisfied buyers return any parts within two weeks of delivery.

With the relatively low price, and the two-year warranty, there will certainly be several Scirocco customers giving a call to RDX Racedesign.

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

Cadillac has unveiled the 2011 CTS Coupe, the latest and most dramatic of the brand’s series of new designs to reach production. Arriving in Cadillac showrooms in August 2010, the CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup.

“CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities,” said Don Butler, Vice President – Cadillac Marketing. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”

The Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan, the 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V and new CTS Sport Wagon as the foundation of Cadillac’s lineup. A high-performance V-Series edition of the Coupe will also be released in 2010.

The CTS Coupe’s design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008.

The Coupe is a classic 2+2 layout bolstered with advanced technology, such as a rear-view camera system and a performance-oriented suspension system coupled to rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The CTS Coupe emerged as a proposal inside Cadillac’s dedicated design studio, where designers develop and evolve the brand’s Art and Science design philosophy. It is powered by a 3.6L direct injected V-6 rated at 304 horsepower (227 kW). The high-performance CTS-V Coupe receives the same, 556-horsepower (415 kW) 6.2L supercharged V-8 found in the landmark CTS-V Sport Sedan.

“Cadillac has always been an emotional brand – it’s about delivering art regardless of body style,” said Max Wolff, director of exterior design for Cadillac. “With the CTS Coupe, it was about taking something very strong – the CTS Sport Sedan – and extending its potential.”

The coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS Sport Sedan, but an overall height that is approximately two inches (51 mm) lower and an overall length that is two inches (51 mm) shorter.

Although it draws from its sport sedan sister, the CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille. Key design features include:

Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar
Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door handles, creating a technical, clean profile
A windshield laid at a faster angle (62.3 degrees) and a long, nearly horizontal backglass area combine to create a dramatic profile
Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents
Rear fascia with mesh lower grilles
Center-outlet exhaust with twin dihedral-shaped tips that pass through the rear fascia
Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes
Rear spoiler integrated into the signature center high-mounted stop lamp
Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio.

At first glance, the shape of CTS Coupe is refreshingly simple, yet amplified with intricately carved details. Distinctive and original Cadillac signature cues combine with hand-sculpted forms, artfully articulating the capability of the chassis. For example, the rear fenders were purposefully developed by hand in Cadillac design studios to visually acknowledge the RWD powertrain. The gestured profile, coupled with Cadillac’s vertical taillamps and pronounced centerline crease, aim to achieve the most visually confident coupe in the segment.

Driving experience

The CTS Coupe extends Cadillac’s emerging performance credentials, with its standard direct injected 3.6L V-6 and a six-speed manual, featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel that offers better clutch pedal feel and improved engine isolation. A six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons) is optional. The Coupe’s final drive ratio is 3.73:1, up from the 3.42:1 ratio of other CTS body styles, providing more responsive acceleration.

The 3.6L DI engine is rated at 304 horsepower (227 kW) and offers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline. Direct injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion, enabling more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions – including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.

The powertrain’s performance is channeled through a chassis that delivers sports car performance without punishment. The hardware includes an independent short/long arm (SLA) front suspension system, with hydraulic control arm front bushings; and a multi-link rear suspension mounted on a fully isolated subframe. Also included are four-wheel disc performance brakes, premium steering and limited-slip differential.

Befitting its luxury sports coupe status, the Coupe has a number of adjustments in the chassis enabling crisper driving performance. The car’s wider track gives it a more planted feel and slightly better cornering. The Coupe has a smaller 29mm front stabilizer bar (2 mm less than the Sedan,) while the rear bar is increased from 20mm to 24.5mm. Damping force is firmer at all four corners, helping the Coupe reach 0.88g peak lateral acceleration in standard form, and more than 0.90 for the V-Series edition.

Two suspension-tuning levels are available: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both RWD and AWD,) and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road holding capability. StabiliTrak, the advanced electronic chassis control system, is standard.

Comfort and technology

The CTS Coupe’s interior emphasizes technical precision with elegant, hand-crafted details. The hand-assembled center console leads seamlessly into the center stack, providing a sportier “cockpit” feel for the driver and passenger without compromising space.

The interior includes hand-sewn accents covering the door, center storage console and instrument panel trim. Available heated and ventilated seats incorporate “thin-seat” technology for maximum occupant comfort and enhanced rear-seat leg, knee and foot room. Fourteen-way adjustable Recaro sport seats are optional, as is a heated wood steering wheel.

The Coupe also offers a host of customer driven technologies, including:

Integrated iPod/MP3 capability
40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio
Pop-up navigation system
Adaptive forward lighting system
Bluetooth connectivity
Standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start
Rear vision camera system
Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround™ audio system.

Safety features

CTS Coupe is designed to enhance Cadillac’s reputation for providing safe occupant environments in luxury vehicles. Details include:

Dual-stage driver front air bag
Segment-first dual depth front passenger air bag
Driver and front passenger side seat-mounted pelvic/thorax side air bags
Roof-rail side curtain air bags that cover front and rear seating rows
Front safety belt pretensioners
Tire pressure monitoring system
Body structure with strategically placed high-strength steel.

As with other Cadillac models, the 2011 CTS Coupe and V-Series come with OnStar 9.0, which now offers Flexible Speech Recognition, , as well as signature OnStar services such as Automatic Crash Response and Turn-by-Turn Navigation. Flexible Speech Recognition extends the user-friendliness of the system, enabling it to respond to thousands of phrases and sentences, rather than a menu of exact words. It also now has far better recognition of thick regional dialects within the languages it serves (French, English, Spanish and Mandarin.)

CTS-V Coupe details

The 2011 CTS-V Coupe combines the new CTS Coupe’s dramatic design with the 556-horsepower (415-kW) supercharged V-8 engine from the CTS-V sedan. The result is a luxury sports coupe aimed at driving enthusiasts. Its suite of technical and performance elements include Magnetic Ride Control, racing-bred Brembo brakes and an available automatic transmission with paddle-shift control.

Unique design features include a grille that doubles car’s air intake volume, an important enabler for its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by a raised center section of the hood that provides clearance for the supercharger, as well as specific front and rear fascias. Like the CTS Coupe, its exhaust is centered inside the rear fascia, but with unique twin outlets. The car rolls on 19-inch cast aluminum wheels, available in either painted or polished finishes, and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 performance tires.

The CTS-V Coupe’s rear track is nearly an inch wider than the CTS-V Sport Sedan, adding to the car’s aggressive stance and enabling an extra measure of handling capability. Inside, the 2+2 cabin combines performance and luxury. A new Saffron interior trim color is offered, with contrasting microfiber seat inserts and stitching on the upper trim areas.

Power for the V-Series Coupe comes from Cadillac’s LSA 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine, rated at 556 horsepower (415 kW) and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747 Nm). It is the most powerful engine offered in Cadillac’s history and propels the CTS-V Coupe from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

The LSA engine features an intercooled Eaton supercharger system, premium aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and numerous details designed to ensure it makes its power as quietly and smoothly as possible. The supercharger, for example, has a unique, four-lobe rotor design that enhances quietness while also optimizing the performance parameters of the engine.

A pair of six-speed transmissions is offered in the CTS-V Coupe: a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual with a dual-disc clutch and a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with paddle-shift control. Performance Algorithm Shifting is part of the 6L90’s programming and provides a performance-oriented shift pattern during sustained high-performance driving. As with many Cadillac models, the driver needs only to slide the shifter into the manual “gate” to put the transmission into that more aggressive mode. The paddle shift control requires no shift lever movement. Steering wheel thumb controls allow immediate and quick tap up/tap down gear selection.

Magnetic Ride Control

The V-Series reaches elite levels of road-holding performance, but also maintains the poise of a luxury car in “regular” driving conditions. The technical enabler of that dual-mode driving character is Cadillac’s landmark Magnetic Ride Control. It is standard on the CTS-V Coupe and is the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology. It uses shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision.

Electronic sensors at all four wheels literally “read the road” every millisecond, making constant adjustments to damping to create virtually instantaneous and extremely precise control of body motions. The Magnetic Ride shocks also enable a broader range of damping control to optimize the ride and handling for all driving conditions. In the CTS-V Coupe, an extra measure of control is offered, with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport), enabling the driver to tailor the suspension for grand touring or more spirited performance driving.

Braking and tire systems

CTS-V includes sophisticated braking and tire systems, in partnership with two companies renowned for high-performance technology: Brembo and Michelin. Brembo brakes are at all four corners and include powerful, six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear.

Slotted and vented rotors enable strong initial braking force while optimizing heat resistance and eliminating fade. The brake rotors from Brembo employ a “dual-cast” technology that combines cast iron and aluminum, resulting in excellent performance and weight reduction. CTS-V also includes an electric parking brake, enabling more legroom for the driver, key for high-performance driving.

Michelin partnered with Cadillac engineers to develop its acclaimed Pilot Sport PS2 summer tire for CTS-V and its exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels. The tires support high levels of grip in track conditions, while also affording good performance on the road.

Interior amenities

Recaro performance driving seats are optional in the CTS-V Coupe and provide excellent support for spirited driving. These 14-way adjustable performance seats include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.

The CTS-V Coupe also includes an exclusive new Saffron color option for the interior, providing a contrasting color accent carried on the seat inserts, as well as the stitching, which highlights the craftsmanship of the instrument panel, center console, door trim and seats.

The steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter are covered in microfiber, providing the luxurious character of suede without suede’s inherent drawbacks of difficult care and moisture sensitivity. These accents are standard, elegant to the touch and help support high-performance driving.

source:http://www.rsportscars.com

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BMW Alpina B5 F10 Bi-Turbo

BMW Aplina has released details on its B5 F10 Bi-Turbo, based on the BMW 5-Series.

Full details are available in the extensive press release, but we can cover the main points here.

First off is the 4.4-liter V8 under the hood which produces 507 PS (373 kW) and 700 Nm of torque. The engine is optimized by way of tinkering with the indirect intercooling system, among others. It's coupled to the SWITCH-TRONIC 8-speed sport automatic transmission from ZF for a fuel economy rating of 10.8 liters/100 km.

Performance figures are 4.7 seconds for the 0 to 100 km/h sprint (62 mph) and top speed is 307 km/h (191 mph). Help to make that sprint as sprightly and enjoyable as possible also comes from a "neutral" suspension set-up which includes shorter but progressive springs and specialized suspension arms. An electronically-adjustable system is also available (Variable Damper Control) in four settings - Normal, Comfort, Sport and Sport+.

For the B5 to roll on are 20-inch Alpina wheels wrapped in 255/35ZR20 tires at the front and 285/30ZR20 for the rear.

A full aerodynamic package includes Alpina branded front fascia, side skirts, rear bumper with an integrated quad-exhaust and optional diffuser.

On the inside are a leather finish with electronic goodies such as gauges in a black panel LCD display from Alpina.

No price details have yet been made available.

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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2013 Volkswagen E-Up! Headed For U.S. Market

Volkswagen may be hesitant to bring such a small car as the Up! to the U.S. market, but in these electric-crazed times, it feels confident it will find buyers for the E-Up! there.

According to Automobilemag, the German automaker's current plans still include the electric variant of the Up! compact car coming to North American shores in 2013. Previous reports had the year at 2014.

The E-Up! is a front-drive, mini/city car featuring a 60 kW (40 kW continuous) electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. Initially, it will come as a three- or five-door hatch but a Space Up! microvan, sharing a platform with the Audi A2, may follow later. Volkswagen gives the vehicle's range at about 130 km (80 miles) and says it can accelerate from 0 to 50 km/h (31 mph) in 3.5 seconds and has an "autobahn-going" top speed of 134 km/h (84 mph). But it's hard to trust numbers on electric cars these days and it may be safe to assume that in real-world circumstances that range figure is just not feasible.

When the E-Up! arrives in the U.S. in four years, it will hope to find buyers in large cities and urban areas of the country. Starting prices, in general, for the E-Up! will be at around €8000 or €9000, or around $10,000 to $11,000.

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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Switzer P800 now available for Tiptronic Turbos, 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds

Ohio-based engineers at Switzer Performance have released a new version of their P800 kit capable of working with the 997 Turbo's Tiptronic transmission. The transmission, normally only capable of handling up to 700 horsepower (522 kW), was totally rebuilt and modified to handle more power.

"When we released our P800 kit for the 997 Turbos, which makes over 800 horsepower (597 kW), we were forced to limit sales to manual-transmission cars," said company chief Tym Switzer in a press release. "This didn't satisfy the customers who wanted the kind of ultimate straight-line performance that the Tiptronic can offer, and, to be frank, it didn't satisfy us."

For the project, they added more friction surfaces to improve power delivery, improved shift speed with a new valve body, eliminated transmission slips with more clutches, and reprogrammed the entire transmission control unit software. The result is a Tiptronic 997 Turbo that sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, even when using standard air pressure, tires, and fuel.

Final calibrations are still being made to the package. The transmission itself could wind up on other Porsche tuner models as well, with Switzer believing that TechArt and 9ff may have an interest in the project.

The cost of the transmission on its own will be $7,990.

source :www.worldcarfans.com

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