CCG presents the new Custom GT

CCG presents the new Custom GT:

German small manufacturer CCG presents the Custom GT, a rear wheel drive sports car. A tubular space frame made in the US and refined in Germany, mixed fiberglass and carbon fiber bodywork, a naturally aspired 7.0 V8 engine (borrowed from Corvette Z06), a 6-speed manual gear box and KW custom-made suspension are the main ingredients of this captivating no -frills car. However, the most impressive feature is arguably the fact that (upon request) the car comes with an LPG system that would help reducing exhaust emissions.

The Custom GT is available in different configurations, and its dry weight may vary from 960kg to 1080kg. The standard 7.0 V8 delivers 550 hp that can push the car from 0 to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds with top speed of about 320km/h, but there are another 2 engine options available, still from GM: a naturally aspired 6.0 V8 delivering 450 hp (0-100km/h sprint time of 3.5 seconds) and a turbocharged version of the aforementioned 7.0 V8 delivering no less than 740 hp. The interior uses alcantara and black leather combinations with some interesting racing-flavored bits, but CCG offers plenty of options for its customization.

In Spring 2012 a new lighter version tentatively labeled “Competition” is supposed to come out, featuring specific suspension and braking system and a more aggressive engine mapping. This model is aimed at that part of CCG customer base that would like to give it a go on the track or enroll in some proper motorsport championship.

View the full CCG CustomGT photo gallery

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Audi to launch TT-RS 'Plus' in 2012

Audi to launch TT-RS 'Plus' in 2012:

In 2012 Audi will launch an even more aggressive and performing version of the TT-RS, called TT-RS Plus. Audi comes up with the ‘Plus’ suffix again - it had already been used for the first two generations of the RS6 - using it to label a sporty model which is not only more powerful, but lighter as well: according to French Automobile Magazine, rear seats will be removed and new exclusive components will be used, allowing the TT-RS Plus to become 60 kg lighter than the standard model (weighing 1,450 kg ). Besides, the 2.5 TFSI engine will receive an extra 40 hp, boosting its power up to 385 hp. The most distinctive aesthetic features will be specifically designed alloy wheels and a bigger fixed rear spoiler. We’ll be back with more details as soon as they will be available.

Source : Google Reader

BenSopra introduces extreme tuning of Nissan GT-R

BenSopra introduces extreme tuning of Nissan GT-R:

Japanese tuner BenSopra will present an extreme tuning of Nissan GT-R at the forthcoming 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon (13-14-15 January). These official CGI pictures offer an anticipation of the aerodynamic package that will equip the car: basically every visible part of the bodywork will be modified, with much bigger fenders, a new set of air intakes and outlets and a massive rear spolier. Besides, the way the bonnet opens suggests that the frame itself will be significantly modified.

BenSopra Nissan GT-R will count on 1000 hp delivered by a heavily modified 3,8 litre twin-turbo V6, although no information has been released about the kind of intervention the engine has been subjected to. BenSopra’s official website confirms that the entire car will be up for sale in 2012.

View the full BenSopra Nissan GT-R photo gallery

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Mercedes R230 Black Bison Edition by Wald International

Mercedes R230 Black Bison Edition by Wald International:

Japanese tuner Wald International presents the R230 SL Black Bison Edition, based on the latest version of Merecedes SL. The car uses a super flashy aerodynamic package consisting of a new front bumper, side skirts and an impressive rear bumper with in-built diffuser and quad DTM-style exhaust tail pipes, which overshadows the trunk-mounted spoiler.

The Black Bison Edition also has bigger wheel arches, a brand new exhaust system and 20″ ‘Renovatio R12′ alloy wheels, and will debut at the 2011 SEMA next month. No other technical details have been released.

View the full Mercedes-Benz R230 Black Bison Edition by Wald International photo gallery

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Merdad offers sneak preview of Range Rover Evoque Mer-Nazz

Merdad offers sneak preview of Range Rover Evoque Mer-Nazz:

British tuner Merdad has released a preview of how Range Rover Evoque will look like with the package they are currently working on. The English crossover will be dubbed Mer-Nazz and will use new aerodynamics components, new bumpers, a new hood, diffuser and a flashy rear spoiler, all of which will contribute to the highlighting of its sporty attitude. Huge 22″ alloys fitted in new massive wheel arches will complete the aggressive look of this attractive tuning.

Other carbon fibre parts will be made available and, quite obviously, there will be plenty of options for its customization. No details have been revealed about Mer-Nazz powertrain and the actual cost of the package. Even though these images portrait a 3-door model, the possibility of a tuning package for the 5-door version of the Evoque hasn’t been ruled out.

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Mazda to unveil Takeri Concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

Mazda to unveil Takeri Concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show:

Mazda will unveil the Takeri Concept at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show (December 3-11), a sedan that will anticipate Mazda 6’s new generation. The car is an evolution of the design theme Kodo - that has already been seen with previous Shinari and Minagi concept cars - and uses the most recent solutions adopted by the SkyActiv Technology package, that optimizes emissions and fuel consumption: kinetic energy recovery, advanced start-stop system, mass reduction, aerodynamic research and SkyActiv-D diesel engine are all parts of this package.

The pictures showing the interiors prove that Mazda went for a somewhat clean style, with 4 single seats for 4 people and design solutions that could actually be adopted by the final version. No more information has been released about this captivating concept. The new Mazda 6 will be unveiled in 2012, most likely at the Paris Motor Show (29 September to 14 October 2012), while the Takeri concept should make an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show (8-12 March 2012).

View the full Mazda Takeri Concept photo gallery

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Nissan Juke-R: first official pic released

Nissan Juke-R: first official pic released:

Nissan has released the first official picture of the largely anticipated Juke-R (above, click on the image to access the high resolution format). The small Crossover was revealed to the press during Nissan Crossover media launch in Malaga, Spain, when it popped up as a ‘surprise guest’ at the end of the press conference. Only two variations of this model will be produced, one in each of left-hand and right-hand drive.

As most of you already know by now, the engine will be the astonishing V6 3.8 twin-turbo lifted from Nissan GT-R, delivering no less than 530 hp. The car is developed by Nissan and will be built by leading multi-discipline motorsports organization RML, with the support from Nissan Technology Centre for Europe (NTC-E). Testing of the car should start in November.

Source : Google Reader

Saab ends partnership with Chinese groups and is now in danger of bankruptcy

Saab ends partnership with Chinese groups and is now in danger of bankruptcy:

Dutch company Swedish Automobile, owner of Saab, has abruptly ended the partnership agreement with China’s Pang Da and Youngman groups adducing a breach of contract from the Chinese side as the reason for the break-up. The decision is a big blow to Saab’s struggle for existence, which was strictly dependent on the success of this partnership, signed last July. Initially Youngman and Pang Da were supposed to acquire a combined 53.9 % stake in Swedish Automobile for 245 million Euros, the money required to keep Saab in the business, but then the Chinese companies said circumstances have changed and now they want to purchase shares in Saab itself, in the view of a possible a takeover of the historic Swedish automaker.

Swedish Automobile CEO Victor Muller described the offer as “unacceptable” as it would activate a change of control clause that would possibly mean the end of Saab. Swedish Automobile has struggled for months seeking investors and selling off various assets in a bid to keep their Saab plant in Sweden alive, but the failure of this agreement has really put the future of the brand in jeopardy: the attorney in charge of Saab’s reorganization has just asked a Swedish court to end bankruptcy protection for the automaker, saying Saab does not have enough money to continue the process. A decision on this application will be taken on Oct. 28. However, in spite of all that, talks between Swedish Automobile and the aforementioned Chinese groups are still ongoing.

via | AutoMotiveNews

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