Here at Autoblog, we cherish the simple things in life. Like a cold beer on a hot afternoon, spending the holidays with family or stuffing an oversized engine into a little sportscar. It's a time-honored tradition, and this example is no less worthy than any that has come before.
Evidently unsatisfied with the S54B32 inline-six powering the top-of-the-line BMW Z4 M, one European enthusiast dropped in the 5.0-liter V10 from the BMW M5 and M6 into his little BMW Z4. But even the stock 507 horses from the high-revving ten wasn't enough for this Bimmerphile, so he went with Hartge's 550-hp version, complemented by the tuner's own 20-inch rims, but, worryingly, no sign of upgraded brakes to go with the 200+ extra horsepower. The converted roadster cost €170k new, but is now on the market for under €98k (tax in), or about $138,000 in American greenbacks. A hefty sum for sure, but can you really put a price on 0-60 in under 4?
Give this 550-hp V10 Hartge BMW Z4 a home
Geiger Hummer H3 V8 Kompressor
Hummer's troubled present and uncertain future are no impediment to tuners hell-bent on creating the most insane vehicles possible, and this blown V8 Hummer H3 is a prime example. Today the Germans at Geiger Cars, already known for some outlandish Hummer creations, have unleashed the H3 V8 Kompressor on an unsuspecting world.
The 'baby Hummer' is just a shade under 4,700lbs (2,131kg) in stock form, its 3.7L five-cylinder delivering yawn-inspiring performance with just 239hp (178kW) and 241lb-ft (327Nm) of torque on tap, though it ekes out a 14/18mpg city/highway rating. Even the stock 5.3L V8 makes just 300hp (224kW) and 320lb-ft (434Nm) of torque despite its displacement, and though it's certainly more up to the task of promptly getting the H3 to speed, it takes a hit in the efficiency department, dropping to 13/16mpg city/highway thanks in part to its 5,069lb (2,299kg) weight.
Mercedes E Class Coupe Caught Almost Undisguised
Caught by WCF reader "Nikolaus", these are the best shots yet of the new 2010 Mercedes E Class Coupe with nearly all its camouflage removed.
A rear diffuser and what seems to be a taped up AMG logo on the boot lid suggest this prototype could be the E63 AMG Coupe. But Mercedes' models from the AMG division all feature a quad exhaust layout whereas this prototype has the rectanglular twin exhausts mimicking the style seen on the recent leaked official photos of the regular E Class Sedan. The front end sports a grille featuring two horizontal bars, a style which differentiates this variant from the sedan and estate variants of the new E-Class line-up.
