http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=753
According to a recent report, Honda is preparing to unveil a high performance Mugen Civic Type R.
Although details are still limited, CAR is reporting that the new Civic will feature a 2.0-liter VTEC four-cylinder engine with at least 177kW. The new hot hatch is also expected to boast a sports suspension, gripper tires, an aggressive carbon fiber body kit, and a racing-inspired interior with no rear seats.
Potential owners will also be offered a variety of performance and personalization options which will allow them to custom tailor their car.
Expected to be launched later this fall, the new Mugen Civic Type R will be priced from R462300-R530200. A tad steep considering that the 221kW Ford Focus RS costs R340600 while the Renault Mégane R26.R starts at R318100.
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ABT extracts 412 KillerWatts from Audi Q7 V12 TDI
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=754
In announcing the factory Q7 V12 TDI Audi was really announcing the most powerful mass-production turbo diesel SUV in the world. It makes a useful 368kW and an astounding 1,000Nm of torque between 1,750rpm and 3,250rpm. For ABT this was just the beginning as it went about creating this AS7 SUV.
Taking the same engine and tweaking it a little further, ABT came out with figures of 412kW and 1,200Nm of torque. All the ponies are available from as low as 3,750rpm. Trucks are used to this kind of power and twisting force but passenger vehicles? Quite unusual.
To drive all four wheels - quattro is of course standard - is a 6-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The tuner says this powertrain fusion leaves a 5.3 second time on the stopwatch when it comes to the 0 - 100km/h dash and the 2.6 tonne SUV doesn't stop until the speedo reads 258km/h.
A collection of alloy wheels up to size 22-inch can be added as part of the accessories to be sold with the AS7.
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Possible Agreement Between GM and Koenigsegg
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=755
After the February announcement that General Motors was planning on dumping Saab, the American parent appears to have come to terms with a suitor. supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg has agreed to take on the Swedish brand.
Both parties have signed a memorandum of understanding, with anticipation of the deal closing by the end of September. Terms of the deal include $600 million in financing provided by the European Investment Bank, and secured by the Swedish government.
Saab operations will continue in full, thanks to funding from both Koenigsegg and GM. Because of this, Saab intends to continue with the launch of "several new products that are in the final stages of development." In addition to GM continuing to provide platforms for the time being, Saab plans on building the next generation Saab 9-5 in Trollhättan, Sweden. The new 9-5 is due for a Frankfurt introduction later this year. The larger 9-5 should be about six inches longer, with a wide variety of powerful engines, all-wheel drive, and LED taillights.
What is uncertain is if these future plans include bringing the Koenigsegg Quant electric concept closer towards production. Koenigsegg is believed to be excited about the 500 kilometer-range vehicle's potential, especially considering its reported recharge time of 20 minutes.
The supercar manufacturer also plans to ramp up Saab production to 150,000 units per year by 2011, up from 20,000. That reason alone could have been enough to win the backing of the Swedish government, as jobs that could have been at risk now have a better chance of being safeguarded, provided the outcome of Saab's in-court reorganization.
With this sale moving forward, Koenigsegg will be keen to avoid mistakes made by other manufacturers in the past. The merger between Daimler and Chrysler saw the combination of a performance vehicle automaker with a volume seller. Significant problems arose when the German car company showed strong reluctance at sharing technology with their high-volume American counterpart.
Of the deal, Saab Managing Director Jan Åke Jonsson said, "Today's announcement is great news for Saab's current and future customers, dealers, suppliers and employees around the globe."
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Porsche Cayenne with Vodka
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=756
A Moscow tuning studio has come up with this.
Status Design has released this picture of their re-imagining of the Porsche Cayenne. They call it the body-whale, although, it looks more like some kind of stylish vacuum cleaner or another design-happy home appliance.
The term body-whale is obviously meant to invoke some kind of marine-animal sense of sleekness and power but the design doesn't really seem to match that. The front end actually looks a little like a Peugeot, with a few extra levels to the four-tiered grille. And what about that grille? It looks like a Venetian blind.
The Russian tuning studio tells us the body kit is made out of high-quality plastic and carbon. Which hints at the notion that this thing will actually be made some day.
The good news is, though, that as of now, it's still only a rendering that is due to be published this fall.
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Lorinser Tackles Lexus LS460
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=757
Tuners at the German firm Lorinser are best known for their work on the Mercedes-Benz lineup. The company has pretty much hit every modern Mercedes, from A to SLK, including the Viano. Two years ago, they ventured a little further out, giving a nice bit of work to the Smart Cars.
Now the company has set their sites on their first ever Asian adaptation. Meet the Lorinser Lexus LS 460, with a new aerokit meant to give the big, five-meter long car "elegant bodywark that exudes confidence."
Engineers first subtly attacked the front fascia with a new spoiler that incorporates new, round foglights. The front bumper also appears to be a bit more squared off, giving the car a more stately appearance. Side sill changes are substantial, but not aggressive, and warn onlookers that the car has some power under its hood.
Modifications at the back are a bit more noticeable, although Lorinser kept the 460's rear light cluster intact. A rear wing has been added on to the boot, and a new apron has been installed. These show more sporty characteristics, as the apron incorporates an air inlet, race-inspired grill, and quad-tipped dual exhaust. The package is rounded off with custom made light-alloys.
Despite making all of these changes, the Lorinser Lexus LS 460 has a relatively unchanged 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. Power comes from a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produces 280kW. Although not yet on their website, the Lorinser LS 460 should be available from the company in no time.
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