Top Nice Cars: Tuning

Showing posts with label Tuning. Show all posts

BMW Introduces New M Performance Parts Program, Includes Engine Upgrades

There's a lot to see from many automakers at this year's Geneva Auto Show, including a raft of new models from the BMW brand, which will introduce the new 6-Series Grand Coupe, the facelifted X6 and X6M, the new M6 Coupe, X5 M50d, X6 M50d M550d xDrive sedan and Touring along with several new engines for the 1-Series, 3-Series and X3.

That's quite a handful but we're not done yet. The Bavarian firm will also showcase the latest 3-Series sedan, the i3 hatchback and i8 sports coupe concepts (all of which we've already seen before) and in a world premiere, the new BMW M Performance accessory program, which brings us to this post.

Next up on Project Kahn's list is the Audi Q7 with a 233bhp 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine. The British tuner visually transforms the premium SUV with a new exterior styling and an extensive makeover of the interior.

On the outside, Kahn exterior's package includes a ground effects kit with a front apron featuring gunmetal grey detailing, wheel arch extensions, front fender vents side skirts, a roof spoiler, and a rear apron that also houses the diffuser and the new exhaust tailpipes.

For owners of the new generation of the BMW 6-Series Convertible codenamed F12 looking to improve the looks and the performance of their drop-top model, Lumma Design has released the first details on its CLR 600 GT package that will debut in a couple of weeks' time at the Geneva Auto Salon.

The German tuning firm's offerings include a rather discreet exterior styling kit comprising a front apron with additional LED daytime running lights (wonder how long these will last…), rocker panels, blacked out kidney grilles, and a rear apron with a diffuser.

One of the first things most publications did after the presentation of the latest crop of pony cars from Detroit's Big Three were to compare them with their 1960 and 1970s predecessors.

So, what's new about Insideline's latest test between a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro and its modern-day namesake? Well, the difference here is that both models featured in the video have been heavily modified.

For an exotic model that has been widely lauded for its looks, the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is sure receiving a lot of attention from the tuning industry. Some of the recent proposals that come to mind are from Prindiville Design and Oakley Design.

Now, ASMA Design is joining in with its own plan to tune Lamborghini's flagship model. You may remember ASMA from its over-the-top projects such as the Phantasma CL Chrome and the unforgettable (…) CLS Shark series.

At first we had the M brand for BMW's thoroughbred sports cars, then came the M Sport Packages, which add styling and suspension upgrades to the firm's mainstream vehicles.

More recently, the Bavarians launched the M Performance sub-brand that offers exclusive engine variants, enhanced handling and bespoke styling treats at a lower cost than the pure M models. You see the pattern, right?

So the next step for BMW is the introduction of the M Performance Parts, that will launch in spring 2012.

Albeit a little late to the party as Renault and Lotus parted ways in F1 at the end of 2011, German tuning firm of all things related to the Renault Group, Elia, has presented a Formula 1-themed version of the Renault Wind.

The small French roadster is dressed in the former Lotus Renault GP team's colors with decorative livery placed throughout the body of the car.

There are plenty of reasons not to buy into Aston Martin's cover up of the Toyota iQ, but if you have already paid twice or perhaps even three times as much for a cooler grille and a luxed up interior and still aren’t happy about the way the Cygnet looks and sounds, Project Kahn has some select upgrades for you.

On the outside, the British tuner fits the Cygnet with its own alloy wheels that are available in various colors (size 17-in. up front and 18-in. at the back), a new set of brake calipers finished in heat resistant paint, again in whatever color the customer wants, and bespoke exhaust tail pipes.

We're not saying it can't happen, but the last thing you expect to see on an open road at night is two motionless vehicles occupying both regular lanes. Is it that difficult to see that this is something extremely dangerous for all parties involved? Apparently, the answer is yes…

Too bad these drivers had to find out the hard way when an unrelated Nissan SUV slammed into a Honda Civic hatchback that was standing still revving its engine as the owner was preparing to race another Civic on an unnamed road in Tampa, Florida.

The person who uploaded the video said that despite the severity of the crash, -fortunately- no one was hurt. You can watch the accident as it happened in the clip that follows after the break (beware; foul language).

For the past decade or so, the 350Z and its successor, the 370Z, have offered mainstream buyers with a regular budget in many markets around the world the opportunity to own a fine-tuned and powerful rear-wheel drive sports car without breaking the bank.

Nissan is now reaching over to the same crowd to help create the ultimate Z car with the launch of "Project Z" that was announced today at the Chicago Auto Show where the Japanese company also unveiled the de-fanged 2013MY 370Z facelift.

And how will Nissan do that, we hear you ask? The answer is through its Facebook channel where fans will propose and vote on potential modifications while following the progress of the tuned 370Z online.

"Together we’ll create a vehicle that expands on the already outstanding performance and style of the Nissan 370Z with a balance of street and track ready modification," said Jon Brancheau, vice president of Nissan Marketing, NNA.

Coinciding with the European market launch of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Brabus has released its first tuning take on the small MPV. For the time being, the German tuner's offerings include upgrades for the exterior, interior and the chassis with the engine kits to become available later in the year.

On the outside, Brabus has prepared an aero kit that comprises a front spoiler that attaches directly to the front bumper and a rear apron housing a diffuser and the new quad tail pipes.

The Dodge Challenger, even in SRT8 form, may not be the quintessential sports car, but it is one of those vehicles that will grab the attention of by passers on the road – especially if it's tuned to look like a real life Hot Wheels car.

This footage of the Challenger SRT8 was captured in London. The modified muscle car is said to be owned by the London Motor Museum. You can watch the video right after the break.

We are inclined to disagree with Edo Competition's claims that its new Porsche Panamera Turbo S tune with 700-horsepower is the most powerful version of the saloon ever as a quick look at our archive proves otherwise; the tuner itself had presented a 750HP version of the car called "Moby Dick" back in January 2011…

That's not to say the Edo Competition's Panamera Turbo S isn't fast. On the contrary, thanks to a series of modifications ncluding new exhaust manifolds and turbochargers, high-flow catalytic converters and air filters plus an ECU tweak, the V8 gains 150HP and 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) of torque for a total of 700 horsepower and 880 Nm (649 lb-ft).

After the presentation of the other three Chrysler Group vehicle customized by Mopar for its 75th anniversary, we bring you the first real life photos of the brand's fourth creation, named the Jeep Compass “True North”.

Beginning with the exterior, the Compass has been customized with a matte black finish on the roof, wheel flares, lower fascia, door cladding and black grille, while it also features tinted lights, front and rear brush bars and custom rock rails.

If there's one thing the stock McLaren MP4-12C has in abundance it's power from the mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine which is rated at 600PS (592HP) and 600Nm (442.5 lb-ft).

However, Texas-based tuning firm Hennessey Performance begs to differ as it believes the MP4-12C could do with some additional horses under the hood – 200 of them, to be precise.

We've shown you a lot of insane pickup trucks on these pages but this one is quite the find - and not only because it has the potential to emit as much CO2 as a small country with every sudden move of your right foot.

Nicknamed Optimus, the heavily modified Dodge Ram 3500 truck is powered by a twin turbocharged Cummins diesel engine that churns out a whopping 1,200 horsepower and an even more mind-blowing 2,000+ lb-ft (2,711Nm) of peak torque! A pretentious beast indeed.

The second Mopar tuned model on its way to the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, which takes place during the second week of February, is the 2012 Fiat 500 Stinger. Mopar's American take on the Italian city car integrates two stage kits along with a special Giallo (yellow) exterior paint.

The first package begins with black racing decals on the Fiat 500's profile and roof graphics in black checker followed by a set of larger 17-inch Abarth Hyper Black alloy wheels with wider 205/40 R17 performance tires, tinted lights and a new exhaust tailpipe.

The classically styled BMW Z8 roadster has fallen into the hands of German aftermarket firm Senner Tuning, which has presented a new sports package with a selection of performance upgrades.

In stock form, the Bavarian roadster sports the E39 M5's 5.0-liter V8 engine delivers 400-horses and a peak torque of 500Nm(368.8 lb-ft).

After the addition of a sports filter, a custom exhaust system and a light ECU tune, output is lifted to 450-horses and 535Nm (394.6 lb-ft) with Senner stating that the modded Z8's top speed is in excess of 300km/h (186mph).

Patterned after the "Mako Shark II" concept and produced from 1968 to 1982, the third generation of Chevy's iconic sports car series has by far the most aggressive and over-the-top design of all Corvettes. And at least up unit the 1973 oil crisis, it had the power to match its brawny looks.

But for an owner of a 1971 Corvette Convertible, the stock V8 wasn't enough so he fitted the open-top model with GM's LS9 crate motor, which is the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 found in the most powerful series production Corvette of all time, the ZR1.

GM states that the crate engine delivers 638-horses at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 604 lb.-ft. at 3,800 rpm. The owner of the car said it made 536 rear-wheel-horsepower through an automatic transmission.

As soon as Lexus rolled out the new 2013 GS sedan in Japan on Thursday, its parent company's performance division, Toyota Racing Developments (TRD), came out with a selection of upgrade parts for the F Sport model.

We'll remind you that the F Sport package for the new GS already includes an aero kit with different front and rear bumpers, a mesh front grille, side skirts and a rear spoiler along with 19-inch wheels and a tuned suspension.

So what does TRD's package add on top of that? Well, namely a pair of splats for the front bumper, an add-on part for the side skirts, a larger boot lid spoiler, a rear apron and quad tailpipes with a blue outline.

Top Nice Cars

BMW Introduces New M Performance Parts Program, Includes Engine Upgrades

Project Kahn's Wide Body Audi Q7 3.0 TDI

Lumma Design Presents New BMW 6-Series CLR 600 GT Prior to its Geneva Motor Show Debut

Supercharged 1968 Camaro Meets Supercharged 2011 Camaro SS on the Track

ASMA Design Previews Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Tune

BMW Video Teases M Performance Parts for 1-Series Hatchback

Elia Dresses Up Renault Wind in F1 Colors

Aston Martin Cygnet: Project Kahn Tries to Make Something Out of Nothing

Nissan SUV Slams Stationary Honda Civic that was Getting Ready to Street Race [NSFW]

Nissan Asks Fans to Help Tune the Ultimate 370Z Coupe; How Would You Upgrade it?

New Mercedes-Benz B-Class gets the Brabus Treatment

Tuned Dodge Challenger SRT8 Stirs up a Crowd in London

Edo Competition Bestows Porsche Panamera Turbo S with 700-horses

2012 Mopar Jeep Compass True North Custom Edition Heads to Chicago Auto Show

Hennessey Performance Promises to Turn McLaren MP4-12C into an 800HP Beast

Meet Optimus, a Monstrous Dodge Ram 3500 Truck with 1,200HP and Over 2,000 lb-ft

Mopar gives the 2012 Fiat 500 an American Tune with "Stinger" Package

Senner Tuning Adds Some Juice to the BMW Z8

Badass 1971 Corvette C3 Convertible Sports New ZR1 6.2-liter Supercharged V8

TRD Suits up the New 2013 Lexus GS F Sport Sedan in Japan