http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1280
Missing European Porsche tuning master Uwe Gemballa’s company has filed for insolvency.
The Leonberg concern, which is globally renowned for its elaborate Porsche styling embellishments and performance upgrades, has been in a state of flux since founder and owner, Uwe Gemballa (54), went missing soon after arriving in South African on February 8.
Since Gemballa’s disappearance in Johannesburg there has been a raft of rumour mongering, including a kidnapping and ransom scenario.
South Africa’s international reputation as a country besieged by opportunistic crime forced many to a preconceived conclusion that Gemballa had been kidnapped.
Money, money everywhere?
A day after Gemballa arrived in South Africa (ostensibly on business with an eye on opening up an agency for his conversions in the burgeoning local market) German police say he phoned his wife. Gemballa then requested a large sum of money to be wired to a bank account after he had apparently been involved in an accident…
Back in Germany though, allegations of tax evasion and financial mismanagement at Gemballa Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co gained momentum.
The presence of German authorities at the facility in Leonberg was made off as a regulation part of any missing person’s investigation by a Gemballa spokesperson, Ekkehard Krebs.
German authorities confirmed two police officers were dispatched to South African to assist local authorities with the investigation. South African Police Services spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo admitted, "there is no trace of him."
Grandma takes over Gemballa?
The most troubling part of Uwe Gemballa’s mystery disappearance thus far are the public records. These came to light as a German court declared it had received an insolvency application from Gemballa Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co.
It would appear Uwe had some urgent business to attend to before he left for South Africa…
On 5 February, two days before leaving for Johannesburg, Uwe updated Gemballa Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co's records with details of a second company he had opened with exceptional expedience. His 79-year-old mother is listed as the sole stockholder of this new "venture" - cryptically named Gemballa Sports Cars GmbH & Co.
Uwe also gave his wife power of attorney before "disappearing" to South Africa, and it’s after her application that a court in Ludwigsburg appointed a provisional liquidator as of Tuesday.
It would appear Uwe Gemballa has enacted the action of one of his most famous creations, the Carrera GT Mirage - and simply disappeared into the heat haze of the African continent.
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Athletic boss's R1 E-Class
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Former Athletics SA (ASA) boss Leonard Chuene bought a car, an E Class Mercedes-Benz, from the embattled organisation for just R1 in 2004, eNews reported.
The revelation was made to the broadcaster during an interview with ASA's administrator, Ray Mali.
Mali said he made the discovery while going through the minutes of previous ASA board meetings. He also discovered that three other cars were sold to ASA officials for R1 each.
ASA's previous board was removed from office for alleged financial mismanagement and their handling of athlete Caster Semenya's gender verification saga.
"It's just a transaction by the board. Some members of the board just stood up and proposed that the cars be sold to Leonard and others to certain individuals," Mali told eNews.
He also established that ASA was still paying for the licensing of the car in Chuene's possession and he is now investigating whether the car was sold to him irregularly.
In a written response to ASA's legal enquiry, Chuene's lawyers said the car was given to him as part of his remuneration package.
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G-Power 760i STORM Tuning Program Announced
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Engineers at G-Power have created a new set of mods for the BMW 7-Series F01. The tuning outfit will be selling the G-Power 760i Storm as a made-to-order level of customization for new buyers.
The modifications rotate around changes to the turbocharger unit. The 6.0-liter V12 engine is normally mated with the bi-turbo "TwinPower" stock unit from BMW. Instead, G-Power tapped engineers at ASA to create radial compressors (turbo charger compressor units) that work off the crankshaft, thus increasing their output.
Turbo boost pressure goes up from 0.5 bar to 0.9 bar, and the added injection valves and exhaust lead to an extra 133 kW. The car now has access to 533 kW and up to 1000 Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm, in part thanks to a remapped engine computer. Changes were also made to the OEM eight-speed transmission.
0-100 km/h now takes 4.2 seconds, with 200 km/h being recorded in 11.9 seconds. Top speed registers at 345 km/h. These speeds are also helped by new aerodynamics at the front skirt, bonnet, side skirts, doors, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler. With the new springs, the car is dropped by 30 mm. The car now rides on 9.5x22 front and 10.5x22 three-piece aluminum wheels wrapped in Michelin tires.
Only 10 units of the G-Power 760i Storm will be produced. Pricing was not disclosed.
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Spyker finalizes purchase of Saab from GM
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Spyker Cars of the Netherlands has finalised its purchase of the SAAB Automobile company from previous owner General Motors. The deal is worth US$74 million (€54.7 million). GM will retain preferred shares in SAAB worth US$326 million.
"From today we will be concentrating all of our efforts into reviving Saab and transforming it into a sustainable and profitable company," said Spyker CE Victor Muller.
Muller will not be directly at the helm of his new subsidiary though, that job is for Jan Jonsson who is tasked with turning the Swedish company's €400 million loss from 2009 into a profit. Incidentally Spyker itself made a loss to the tune of €8.7 million in the first half of 2009.
"Now we aim to get back to the execution of our business plan, starting with the introduction of the new 9-5 later this year," Jonsson said.
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Volvo C70 Facelift Tuned by Heico Sportiv
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The Heico Sportiv-tuned facelift Volvo C70 will be exhibited at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next week. Heico aims to blend its vision with what Volvo originally intended for the C70, without protruding or appearing too after-market.
"Our program kicks in where Volvo's leaves off," says Heico Sportiv General Manager, Holger Hedtke. "It's characterised by supplementation rather than substitution."
Installed parts include a front spoiler forged in flexible, lightweight polyurethane plastic, a rear diffuser and stainless steel exhaust system with four round chrome plated pipes (certain models). The suspension has been lowered by some 30 millimeters and rides on 9x20 inch forged wheels.
Inside the furniture maker Thonet has provided the limited-edition wooden gear lever. Although power figures were not released, Heico did reveal that an ECU upgrade will be available for the 2.0D and the D5.
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Vorsteiner Aero Package for Mercedes C63 AMG
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Vorsteiner has announced the availability of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Aero Package which keeps the spirit of the old CLK Black Series alive. An example of this is the front spoiler which has CLK Black Series accents. All the components used were created from a resin pre-impregnated, vacuum-formed carbon fibre that is not only lightweight but up to 30% stiffer as well.
There is a dual-fin rear diffuser which is enhanced by a central vent. At the same time it acts as a cooler for the exhaust.
Vorsteiner has gone with its special V-101 monoblock forged wheel with an 8 twin spoke mesh design. It is available in either 20x8.5 inch and 20x9.5 inch, or 19x8.5 inch and 19x9.5 configurations. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tyres are recommended as mates.
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Abarth 500C and Abarth Punto Evo Announced
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Two very sporty products from the house of Abarth are to appear at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The Abarth Punto Evo and the Abarth 500C are the latest creations from the collaborative effort between Abarth and Fiat.
Based on the Fiat Punto Evo which was introduced in September 2009, the Abarth version completely renovates and changes the car. Its performance basis is the 1.4-litre Multiair engine boosted to 121kW. The large Garrett turbo also advances maximum torque to 250Nm at 2250rpm. It accelerates from 0 - 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. More performance can be extracted for a future SS model featuring 132 kW, 18-inch wheels and high performance brakes.
Among other advances included are a new performance mode selection system which lets the driver choose between a Sport and Normal driving mode to suit prevailing conditions. The Torque Transfer Control (TTC) is said to improve the torque transfer from the engine to the wheels, thus simultaneously improving handling.
The exterior is updated through a wider front bumper, a deeper intake cowl for improved aerodynamics, a redesigned rear bumper, an air diffuser and larger twin tailpipes. Inside Abarth provided such equipment as new race-inspired graphics and larger dials.
The company is also introducing an Abarth 500C designed to knock anyone's hair off. It features an electric soft top (available in either black or grey titanium), a third brake light which is incorporated into the rear spoiler, a MacPherson front suspension and a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet engine making 103kW and 206Nm. Abarth says it will go from 0 - 100km/h in 8.1 seconds and return an average 6.5 l/100 km in the combined cycle.
Both these cars are scheduled to go on sale in the next few months in Europe and Japan. Other Abarth-serviced markets will follow thereafter.
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