http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=970
One could argue that the Ford Focus RS already has too much horsepower going through the front axle but Loder1899 thinks it may need a little more.
The Ford Focus RS is already the most powerful hot-hatch in its class, with its 2.5 liter, turbocharged 5-cylinder engine doling out a remarkable 224kW. But now German tuner Loder1899 has added an extra 33kW for the front wheels to grind away with.
The specialized Ford tuner also provides a new stainless-steel exhaust system, in a Y-pipe form and fitted with a silencer, that deepen the sound of the already rumbling production RS. According to Loder1899, the new exhaust system alone adds 15kW to the RS's performance. A new air filter and other fidgeting account for the rest.
A suspension-lowering of 35 mm is also part of the tuning package. Loder1899's own 20-inch "Vertigo Viginti" wheels are included too.
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Panamera and 911 Platforms to be shared with VW
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=971
The new head of Porsche is feeling generous, now that a merger between Porsche and VW Group has been put in place.
Porsche has put its 911 and Panamera platforms up for grabs within the VW Group as part of a plan to further cooperation between the two automakers in matters of production.
"Porsche needs to become a strong pillar of VW...The Panamera platform could be used by other brands for models that are in development and at the concept stage," said Michael Macht, Porsche's new CEO, in an Autocar story.
Macht was also sure to note that Porsche will not be diluting its quality or brand quotient by introducing more technology from VW. Currently, it only uses a VW supplied V6 engine in the Cayenne.
Macht also spoke of driving Porsche sales back up, which have fallen 24 percent this year due to the economic downturn. In the Autocar interview, he spoke (without offering any details) about introducing new models but did confirm that the Panamera range will be expanded to include a 6-cylinder model, a hybrid and a diesel variant too.
He also put the brakes on any speculation that there would be an electric Porsche anytime soon.
"The technology that exists now doesn't fit with Porsche requirements. It will be a minimum of two years before the technology is up to scratch."
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Of Street Kings and 12 second runs
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=972
As some of the followers of the Yokohama/Speed & Sound Street Kings competition may know by this time... the latest round of competition was held on the 25th of October 2009 at ODI Raceway North West of Pretoria.
At this competition a number of "Hot Hatch" entrants competed for the coveted title of "Street King". The reigning leader at that point being Flip van Zyl, having the best time of 12.6 seconds set in his Opel Astra OPC that is tuned by well known South African Opel tuner Nasen Padayachee (owner of the fastest front wheel drive drag record in SA) of NASCAR Performance. It's also generally known that Flip also has the current fastest OPC/VXR in the world. So needless to say the competition was stiff.
Flip van Zyl, on his first outing on the track, ran a measured quarter mile (400m) at 12.301 seconds and a speed of 201km/h. This was a seriously monumental achievement for any hot hatch in this competition. Breaking the 12.5 second limitation as defined by the rules of the event. Subsequent runs measured 12.302, 12.487, 12.501, 12.531, 12.675, 13.054 and finally 13.385 (times worsening as heat soak and high temperatures began taking their toll) with speeds ranging between 184km/h and 199km/h. This in itself has cemented Flip's record as the fastest road legal factory engine based hot hatch in SA and also the fastest OPC/VXR in the world.
As for the Street King events, there were concerns raised about the interpretation of the 12.5 second rule, whether times that fall below it will not be considered or would mean disqualification from the event. As yet no clear answer has been forthcoming from the organisers/sponsors. Already allegations of running NOS cheater systems and such have been spreading among contestants and rival tuners, but both Flip and Nasen have commented that they are more than willing to have the said OPC fully scrutinised by a panel of experts.
No matter what the outcome... this record will stand and will not be diminished by any amount of rule interpretations, allegations of cheating or innuendos.
Congrats Flip. You deserve it.
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