carscoop: Tuning

Showing posts with label Tuning. Show all posts

This Used to be a 1983 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Before it Entered eBay Hell

The third generation of the Pontiac Firebird will likely be remembered by the masses for its key role in the popular 1980s television series Knight Rider as KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), a specially modified version of the Trans AM model with high tech crime-fighting equipment.

In real life, the Trans Am was available as a specialty package for the Firebird usually offering upgraded handling through suspension modifications, more power under the hood and exclusive styling features.

Catfish Speedster is the Mazda MX-5 You Always Wanted to Have and It's Coming to SEMA

Bauer Limited Production is a new company formed by Cord Bauer’s Bauer Limited Production, Ron Hemphill’s Diversified Products, Tony Woodford’s AWR Racing and Dave Green’s DG Motorsports, with the purpose of using their expertise to design and develop a custom sports car named the Catfish.

The donor vehicle that the Catfish is based on is none other than the Mazda MX-5 (also known as Miata and Roadster). The Japanese carmaker's open top, two-seater model was chosen because of its perfect 50:50 weight distribution, simple and light yet effective construction and affordability.

Being on the Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling two-seat sports car ever means that there are many used and reasonably priced examples to choose from: the MX-5 that was used for the first Catfish prototype cost a mere US$800 (€610).

Gemballa Tunes the New Porsche 911 Cabriolet S

Longtime Porsche tuning brand Gemballa is calling owners of the latest generation of the 911 Cabriolet S (codenamed 991) to take a look at its new sports package named GT that encompasses aerodynamic as well as brake and wheel components. Read more »

Mazda Tuner BBR Announces “Super 180” Performance Upgrade for Third-Gen MX-5

Brodie Britain Racing, or BBR as it is commonly known, is a UK-based tuning company that specializes on Mazda models. Some of you may recall the 150HP turbocharged Mk1 (NA) MX-5/Miata, among them a special edition launched in celebration of the 787B winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991.

More than two decades after the last rotary win in La Sarthe, the MX-5 is currently in its third generation (NC) and BBR is still producing tuning packages for the world’s best-selling two-seater car in history.

BBR has now announced a new, normally aspirated package for the third generation MX-5, which was produced from 2005 onwards.

Hennessey Says New Cadillac CTS-V VR1200 Twin Turbo Coupe is the World's Most Powerful 4-Seater

Not the one to shy away from the insane horsepower wars of our time, Hennessey Performance is lifting the bar for tuners with the presentation of the new 2013 Cadillac VR1200 Twin Turbo Coupe based on the two-door version of the CTS-V.

There's a ton of stuff going on under the sheetmetal but the highlight of the tune can be found right behind Cadillac's crest.

SCP Lightens Up Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon with Cosmetic Tune

Of all the Mercedes-Benz models, the one you least expect to tap the interest of tuners is the massively spacious E-Class T-Modell, also known as Estate and Wagon in other markets.

Yet it is this model, and in particular, the previous generation of the E-Class Wagon W211 built from 2002 to 2009, that has fallen into the hands of German aftermarket specialist, Schulz Car Professional or SCP for short.

Volkswagen Sports Up the New Beetle with R-Line Packages

New Beetle customers in Europe now have the option to fit their cars with two R-Line packages that are based on the top “Sport” version, including one for the outside and the other for the interior of the retro-flavored hatch.

With the exception of the wider wheels, both R-Line kits bring purely cosmetic upgrades. The exterior package available as a standalone item that can be combined with any of the twelve available Beetle colors, while the interior package is offered only as an extension of the R-Line exterior details.

1967 Ford XR Falcon ZERO'D with 600hp V8 Diesel is Even Greener Than it Looks

Joining the local introductions and even some world premieres like the Lexus LF-LC II at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney this October will be a unique muscle car build from the Land Down Under.

Australia is known for its love of muscle cars and has a long tradition in the category with vehicles such as the classic 1970s Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III, Holden Monaro and Torana V8s, and Valliant Charger R/Ts (Chrysler Group), as well as the contemporary offerings from Holden's HSV and Ford's FPV performance divisions.

Now, an Australian has come up with a green muscle car build – and we're not referring to its beautiful, rich exterior shade.

Heico Sportiv Launches New Volvo V40 Tuning Program

After giving us a foretaste of its tuning program for the all-new 2013 Volvo V40 in the summer with pictures and initial details, Heico Sportiv has now officially launched a variety of performance and styling accessories for the Swedish brand's premium compact hatchback.

The German company's offerings encompass power enhancements, exhaust systems, sport suspensions, wheels and interior and exterior design elements.

2013 Lexus GS 350 Light Tuning Project by Vossen [w/Video]

Proving that you do not need to go to great extents to make your car stand out from the crowd, Vossen Wheels is giving us a taste of one of its most recent projects based on the 2013 Lexus GS 350.

While the Miami-based wheel manufacturer doesn’t go into detail, given the lack of the F-Sport model's fender badges and boot lid spoiler, it appears that the project car is based on the regular GS 350 while sporting the more aggressive looking front bumper and upper and lower grille inserts of the F-Sport variant.

BMW X5 E70 SUV Turned Into an Extra Large Party Limo

If you happen to be in the limousine industry and are tired of the usual stretched Lincoln Town Cars and GM Hummers, here's a European flavored alternative.

This 2007 BMW X5 limo is said to fit up to 15 passengers inside and comes with all the usual party bling such as the neon lights and drink bars that are expected from vehicles of the sort.

ABT Sportsline Tunes Into the Diesel-Powered Audi A6 Models

The European market, diesel-powered versions of the latest Audi A6 Sedan and Avant (estate) are at the center of ABT Sportsline's tuning attention.

The performance packages start with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI that receives an ECU reflash lifting output from 174hp (177PS) to 202hp (205PS).

Turbocharged Subaru BRZ with 440WHP Runs Quarter Mile in 11.3 Seconds

While no doubt fun to drive, some consumers and reviewers have been complaining about the lack of power in the Subaru BRZ and its boxer-engine twins, the Toyota GT 86 and Scion FR-S.

Nothing the aftermarket industry can't solve, as proved by this Subaru BRZ tuned by Accelerated Performance.

Thanks to a series of mechanical upgrades highlighted by the addition of a turbocharger system, reprogrammed ECU and a catless exhaust, the BRZ's 2.0-liter flat-four is said to produce a massive 440-horses…at the rear wheels.

To the Popemobile: Renault Gifts Two Specially Modded Kangoo Maxi Z.E. to Pope Benedict XVI

The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has received a new set of wheels, courtesy of French carmaker Renault.

The Pope's new ride is based on the pure-electric Kangoo Maxi Z.E. and was developed in association with the French coachbuilder Gruau, while Renault also donated a second vehicle to the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City.

Hofele-Design Customizes Mercedes-Benz ML and Calls it the Starcruiser GT 550

German tuner Hofele-Design has spent some time fettling the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the outcome is a fully customized model series, which it names "Starcruiser GT 550".

Beginning with the ML's exterior, the tuning house has developed a 14-piece wide body kit that adds a new front bumper with big air intakes and LED daytime running lights, front and rear fender extensions, side skirts, a rear apron with a diffuser shrouding quad stainless-steel tailpipes, a tailgate spoiler and various trim pieces.

Toyota MR2 Poses as a Lamborghini Murcielago

Over the years, we have seen the Toyota MR2 falling into the hands of numerous kit car makers who have used the Japanese sports model as a base for the creation of all sorts of replicas.

Among other clones, the mid-engine MR2 has been transformed into a Ferrari Enzo, a Ferrari 460 Modena Spider, a Ferrari F430 Spider, a strange looking creation from Japan called the DragStar F1 Dragon, a Gumpert Apollo and believe it or not, even a Ford Mustang Eleanor.

What do You Say About a Chrome-Wrapped Fisker Karma with Neon Underglow Lights?

We cannot confirm if this Fisker Karma sports sedan does indeed belong to Justin Bieber as claimed by YouTube user "Speedracer39" who shared the video, but we can say that the owner of this six-figure plug-in hybrid has gone a bit overboard with the mods.

Besides the full-body chrome wrap, the blacked-out alloy wheels and heavily tinted windows, the owner came up with the bright (literally) idea of adding so-called "neon underglow lights" that change colors while the car is on the move.

TMCars Says it Can Turn Your BMW 3-Series E30 Coupe Into This with a Body Kit

What if the Confederacy had won the Civil War, Superman had been raised in the Soviet Union instead of the US, Adolf Hitler had never been born or JFK hadn’t been assassinated and so on?

This is the alternative or alternate history, the “what if” premise, which has been quite popular in both historical and science fiction genres.

In a similar fashion, what would have happened to the 3-Series' styling if BMW had constantly evolved the shape of the E30 (produced between 1982-1990, though some body styles continued for a few more years) and hadn't moved on with the E36 and its successors?

This is a question posed by the people at Hungary's TMCars design. The answer they came up with is the TM concept30, named after the E30 3-Series that is celebrating its 30th birthday this year.

Interestingly, the concept30 is much more than a pure study as TMCars imagined it as a styling kit that can transform the appearance of any E30 3-Series, many examples of which remain in use today.

Homemade Lamborghini Reventon Based on a Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe

Much like Wang Jian, a 28-year old Chinese mechanic that built a Lamborghini Reventon replica from scrap metal and used car parts, Alexander, a 30-year-old car buff from the Ukrainian city of Odessa, had a dream and that was to create a clone of the Italian supercar.

The Ukrainian, however, followed a different path as he decided to base the Reventon on his very own 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe (third generation) that he had acquired back in 2008.

Chinese Man Builds Himself a $9,500 Lamborghini Reventon Out of Old Car Parts and Iron

Most Lamborghini supercars in a drivable condition are out of reach for most people, even more so if we are talking about one of the most expensive models to come out from Sant'agata, the $2 million Reventon.

Being the son of a humble farmer from a rural area of China's eastern Jiangsu province, doesn’t help either, but when a man has a dream, nothing can stop him, which is the case for Wang Jian.

The 28-year old mechanic built himself a replica of a Lamborghini Reventon using whatever parts and materials he could get his hands on.