It's no secret that Lotus has monumental plans in the coming years, announcing no fewer than four new models at the 2010 Paris Motor Show that it says will gradually roll out over the next several years. But there's no denying that the British firm's current level of success was built on the excellence that is the Lotus Elise, Exige and, most recently, Evora.
That being the case, we're hoping that a report from Autocar in the UK is accurate and that Lotus has plans to overhaul the Exige and give the Evora a heavily updated interior before the Esprit goes into production in late 2012. We certainly wouldn't expect wholesale changes to either machine – engineering budgets are surely being diverted elsewhere – but a little something to keep its current models fresh in the eyes of consumers would go a long way towards bridging the gap between the present and the Ferrari-fighting future.
[Source: Autocar]
Report: Lotus to overhaul Exige, Evora ahead of Esprit production
MTM Audi R8 GT3-2: 560 horsepower and rear-wheel drive
German tuning company MTM doesn't necessarily do things the conventional way. Remember the Bimoto, the twin-engined Audi TT that could hit 244 mph? Yeah, different. That's why we weren't surprised to see this modified Audi R8 come across our desks. MTM has done some conventional tuning with the car – like supercharging the 4.2-liter V8 – but it's also performed a procedure we've yet to see. The front-wheel drive portion of the Quattro system has been removed, making the car a pure rear-driver. According to MTM, this change provides a "complete new driving experience behind the Audi steering wheel and pure driving pleasure."
To share this experience with their customers, MTM is now offering a GT3-2 conversion for any V8-powered Audi R8. The package includes the aforementioned supercharger system, which is good for 560 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, carbon fiber aero parts, larger front and rear brakes, adjustable Bilstein suspension, MTM's unique Bimoto forged wheels and more.
More Audi Cars in LuxuryAutos Blog:
+ 2011 Audi A3 Receives Minor Exterior and Interior Revisions
+ Audi RS7 Concept Artist Design Interpretation
+ Pics aplenty: 2010 Audi TT RS is ready for its closeup
+ New ABT AS3 based on Audi A3 Facelift Revealed
+ JMS Audi A3 Sportback Body Kit Released
+ Audi RS5 Headed for 2009 Detroit Motor Show
+ Audi A5 Sportback Illustration
+ Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept Revealed
+ Audi A3 Cabrio’s fast show
+ 2008 Audi R8
+ MTM Audi RTT: R8-beating, Bauhaus lunacy
+ New Audi Q5 Shapes Up
+ Fleet Update: 2007 Audi Q7 4.2
Review: 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport is a mid-size segment buster
We still cringe upon hearing marketing types utter the phrase "four-door coupe." It's inherently a lie, a scam. Who are they trying to fool? It's not a four-door coupe, it's a sedan with a sloping roof – generally one that's missing a middle rear-seat. And there's nothing wrong with that. But, just like automakers the world 'round bend over backwards corrupting the language to avoid calling a station wagon anything but a station wagon (Sportback, Avant, Sportcombi, etc.), the oxymoronic four-door coupe appears to be here to stay. Where's George Carlin when you need him? With that rant out of the way, the 2009 Volkswagen CC is the best four-door coupe we've ever driven – at least this side of a Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, which is three times the price.
Good looking isn't even the right word for VW's rebodied Passat. Handsome, exquisite, sharp, revolutionary and awesome all spring to mind. But, let's just settle on two: segment busting. Not only that, but the CC renders the current Passat about as desirable as a late-model Ford Five Hundred. Which is to say, not at all. In fact, with the exception of third rear-seat, we can't think of a single reason to choose a Passat over the CC. Not one.
Pics aplenty: 2010 Audi TT RS is ready for its closeup
Audi has released a plethora of new beautiful photographs of the Audi TT RS Coupe and Roadster, and it just makes us want them to change their mind about bringing the car to the United States even more. After all, what's not to love? The 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder puts out 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft torque running through a six-speed manual transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system.
It also comes with other goodies like a stiffer suspension, five-spoke 18-inch wheels, more aggressive exterior styling, Alcantara /leather sports seats, and more. Why wouldn't we want a TT that has all that?
A Pure Driving Machine developing 340 bhp
Audi is once again producing a five-cylinder engine – and a very special one at that. Arriving at dealerships this summer, the TT RS has a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with direct gasoline injection; it produces 250 kW (340 bhp) and 450 Nm (331.90 lb.-ft.) of torque. The blazing five-cylinder engine enables the TT RS to perform extraordinary feats. In conjunction with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a high-performance chassis, the engine makes the compact Audi TT RS a top-notch sports car – available as a coupé or roadster.
The world's fastest BMW coupe? 230 mph G-Power M6 Hurricane CS
The G-Power crew is constantly striving to produce the most insane BMWs on the planet, combining forced induction with thoroughly revised suspensions and aerodynamics to attain completely unreasonable speeds. It's latest creation, the BMW M6 Hurricane CS, takes the standard set by its M5-based Hurricane RS, and straps a duo of superchargers onto the 5.0-liter V10, boosting the coupe's output to 740 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
Combined with a remapped ECU and a titanium exhaust, along with carbon fiber seats and a few other tweaks to reduce the curb weight by around 100 pounds, the CS can run to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, to 124 mph in 9.6 seconds, 187 in 26 seconds and on to a claimed top speed of 230 mph – making it the fastest road-going BMW coupe on Earth.
In addition to the twin superchargers and bespoke body-kit, G-Power fitted the CS with carbon ceramic brakes at all four corners, with the front discs measuring in at 380mm and clamped by six-piston calipers. A coil-over suspension with nine adjustable settings joins front and rear anti-roll bars, and for a scant 390,000 euros, it can be yours. All the details can be found in the press release below the fold.
BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix
BMW's little 1 Series has proven itself to be a credible performer that's able to hang with nearly anything else it likely to encounter on the road. But against an Australian V8 Supercar and BMW's own Formula 1 racer? Not a chance. Regardless, these three vehicles will indeed face off at the upcoming F1 season opener Down Under. To help level the playing field, each vehicle will start with a handicap, so the real excitement will begin near the end of the lap when the three cars close in on one another as they sprint to the finish line.
The 1 Series that's taking part in the event will be equipped with the German automaker's potent 3.0L twin-turbo inline six and will wear 18" alloys bolted up to a tuned suspension set up with cross-drilled brakes. A set of tii decals and a full BMW Performance aerodynamic body kit top things off. The race will be repeated 5 times starting on Thursday, March 26th.
Spy Shots: Production BMW 135tii
Few models in the BMW lineup have as much tuning potential as the newly released 135i, and the Bavarian boys and girls are intent to capture as much of that market as possible. The BMW 1-series tii concept proved that BMW was serious about offering performance parts to boost (and possibly lighten) its new turbo'd coupe, and a member of 1addicts posted photos of what could be the first 135 to get the in-house tuner treatment.
Most of the parts shown are carryovers from the tii concept, including the revised front fascia, side skirts, carbon fiber diffuser and matching rear wing. The C.F. hood may have been swapped out for a stock aluminum piece, but we're guessing the weave has been covered in matching white paint. The upgraded brakes are one of the most obvious additions, while inside, there's plenty of Alcantara covered kit, from the shift boot to the seats, which are also dead ringers for the thrones shown on the concept. The steering wheel is new however, sporting more grippy suede and complete with three different sections packed with LEDs. Your guess is as good as ours about the two displays mounted at 11 and 1, but the center mounted LED arrangement is likely a shift-light/rev meter.
[source: Autoblog]
2008 BMW 650i Coupe and Convertible Preview
BMW 6 Series fans and enthusiasts will be pleased with the new 2008 650i Coupe and 650i Convertible, since it now comes with the new six-speed Sports Automatic Transmission as well as the six-speed manual transmission.
On the exterior, you can expect the standards like bi-xenon dual round headlights. New color options come in the metallic paint colors of Deep Sea Blue and Space Gray, and other options like the new light-alloy rims give the buyer a chance to enhance the already sporty elegance of the new BMW 6 Series to their liking. Since other car markers have been taking notice of BMW’s style and then subsequently copying it, BMW has given the rear deck lid and spoiler lip a more concave design to give the rear a more distinctive and dynamic look. In the front, the trademark kidney grill has been widened and integrated more with the lower spoiler in order to visually widen the stance of the car.
Inside, look for the new Chrome Pearl Grey Design as a nice finish on some controls and instruments. New colors for trim and upholstery like Saddle Brown will be also be optional. If you don’t like the standard aluminum trim, you can opt for trim made of trained maple wood or dark birch wood for a more elegant look. You can also go with the optional Pearl exclusive leather and add leather to the armrests, door grab handles, and the center console. Standards are the electrically adjustable seats for both driver and passenger as well as the three spots for seat position memory on the driver’s seat.
Journalists have been carping about the iDrive and BMW continues to refine it. The newest iDrive Controller (introduced in the new X5) comes with six programmable memory keys, meaning direct access to your favorite presets, phone numbers, and other features.
Under the hood is the 4.8-liter V8 engine (360hp at 6,300rpm and 360lb-ft of torque at 3,400rpm) that takes you from 0-60 MPH in 5.3 seconds in the manual Coupe and 0-60 MPH in 5.6 seconds in the Convertible. However, for all of you speed demons out there, engine management will shut you off at a top speed of 155 mph in both models. Varioserv steering assistance helps to provide efficient steering support and assistance based on the driver’s needs.
The 6 Series Convertible also comes with the optional, at no extra charge, six-speed Sports Automatic Transmission if you don’t want the six-speed manual. With the Sports Automatic Transmission, you move the lever from drive to the left to activate the manual gearshift mode. This means you can then shift with the paddles on the steering wheel or with the gear selector level. Press the Sports button that is behind the gear selector lever, and the results will be an even faster gear shift change.
Going a little too fast into a turn? BMW ’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) can help by applying the brakes to individual wheels as needed or can intervene via the engine management system in order to counteract such instances of over- or under-steer in corners. Automatic Stability Control helps keep the car from spinning on looser or slippery ground, and the Cornering Brake Control and Brake Assist also help the DSC in steering emergencies. For less experienced manual drivers who are still a little nervous about starting on a hill, the Start-Off Assistant will help you start smoothly without the use of the handbrake. It will also keep you from rolling back.
Driving while sleepy and not staying in your lane? The new Lane Departure Warning system will let you know by vibrating the steering wheel if you veer out of your lane. Night Vision will sense people and animals via thermal imaging up to almost 1,000 feet down the road and then show you an image on the central Control Display. These safety features plus the active headrests help insure the safety of the driver and passengers.
Overall, look for the 650i Coupe and Convertible to carry on the BMW legacy of fine Grand Touring abilities and style, while also incorporating touches of luxury.
Other BMW Cars
+ 2007 BMW Alpina B7
+ BMW X5 GETS IT RIGHT: Luxury SUV a big improvement from earlier generation
[source:http://www.roadfly.com/2008-bmw-650i-preview.html]
