Sunday, November 9, 2008

Mercedes releases two special-edition ML63 AMG SUV

In a sort of counter-stroke to the modified vehicle extravaganza that is the SEMA show, Mercedes has announced two special editions of its ML63 AMG SUV. The 10th Anniversary model celebrates 10 years of AMG SUVs, while the Performance Studio edition exhibits what the in-house AMG customizers at the Performance Studio in Affalterbach can do for customer vehicles.

The ML55 AMG was the first high-performance treatment of a Mercedes SUV, and over its tenure the model sold over 11,000 copies. Its replacement, the ML63 AMG, builds on that legacy with an even more powerful and capable vehicle. Key modifications to the 10th Anniversary model include a new front bumper design, a new 'power dome' hood, 21" AMG alloy wheels, and inside, two-tone nappa leath
Justify Fuller upholstery. Available in two interior color combinations - black/alpaca grey or black/beige - to complement the Himalaya grey exterior, the interior also gets custom AMG sports seats with multi-contour adjustments and built-in heating.
The Performance Studio ML63 AMG, on the other hand, is exhibition of the custom options available directly from the factory on the ML63 AMG. This particular example bears an exterior in a shade called 'metallic Peridot brown' plus a set of 21" high-sheen double-spoke alloy wheels painted in the same color as the SUV. High-gloss chrome trim accents the car's lines. Inside, the custom touches continue with nappa leather stitched with a diamond design covering the front and rear seats and the door linings. Accenting the 'porcelain' colored leather is a range of charcoal alcantara and black leather accents. Piano black wood trim and leather-trimmed black floormats round out the treatment.

The 10th Anniversary model will be available for pre-order starting in Q1 2009, while the custom elements of the Performance Studio edition can be had for order on any ML63 AMG. Other custom elements that can be ordered include custom suspensions, brake systems, wheel and tire combinations, and complete interiors, all carried out by the experts at the Affalterbach AMG Performance Studio.

Photos and Specification of Kia Soul leaked

Kia has confirmed that its new Soul hatchback will be sold in the U.S., with the first models set to arrive in April next year. Now photos of the U.S.-spec model have been leaked, revealing a car essentially identical to the international production version already seen and still true to the concept as well.

The U.S. will receive two petrol models, displacing 1.6 and 2.0L, respectively, while Europe will receive an additional 1.6L turbodiesel. Production of the Soul begins this month in Korea.

Spy photos of the interior reveal the car will share much with the newer models in Kia's lineup, which feature surprisingly high-quality materials and solid ergonomic design. The newly leaked photos, from Kia-World show the car's exterior will remain largley unchanged from previously seen versions of the car.

The Soul was shown in concept form shown as far back as the 2006 Detroit show but it was restyled this year by Kia’s new head of design Peter Schreyer to showcase the carmaker’s latest design language.

The original concept was designed jointly by Kia’s Californian and Korean design studios but the final production model was created by Kia’s European design team.

Kia is hoping to double its sales in global markets by 2010 with the introduction of several new and updated models. The first of these will be a facelifted Sportage SUV in July, followed by the Soul and two new sedan models next year. The carmaker is also scheduled to option its first U.S. plant next year and is planning to build up to 300,000 vehicles per year at the new Georgia site.

Lamborghini Gallardo

Elite Carbon Lamborghini Gallardo bodykit
American bodykit manufacturer Elite Carbon has just released a full carbon fiber bodykit for the standard Lamborghini Gallardo, which gives the car a much more aggressive look as well as a number of characteristics inspired by the new Gallardo LP560-4 and previous Superleggera.
The bodykit itself features a new front bumper with aggressive slats positioned in the middle of the front bar. The kit also consists of Superleggera-style side skirts with an additional lower scoop below the side air intake. Other pieces include a new carbon fiber rear bumper with an integrated carbon diffuser, as well as a rear wing also inspired by the Superleggera.

Elite Carbon also has a number of addition pieces for the Gallardo, such as custom carbon fiber door mirrors, and a separate carbon rear diffuser. Pricing for the latest kit is yet to be announced however it won’t be cheap. The previous standalone rear diffuser, for example, is listed at $4,500, and the pair of carbon side mirrors will set you back no less than $3,000.

Official Details of Nismo 370Z

Last month we showed you a leaked image of the upcoming Nismo enhanced 2009 Nissan 370Z, and now we have official details for the tuner’s ‘S-Tune’ package. While the teaser image we showed you earlier featured the rear of the car with a sizeable fixed rear wing, full bodykit and a new rear diffuser with an integrated brake light, the latest images reveal what the front and side of the Nismo S-Tune 370Z will look like.
Nismo, short for Nissan Motorsport, is the Japanese carmaker’s official in-house tuner and has been designing and building performance parts for various Nissan vehicles for years. Nismo’s most recent performance package was for the already formidable GT-R, which included a whole assortment of performance parts ranging from power mods, to aerodynamic aids, and even interior trim.

The new 370Z will likely feature a similar lineup of Nismo accessories. Some of the confirmed options include a nose piece extension, a front lip spoiler, side skirts, a rear spoiler, rear fender protectors, Nismo floor mats, a stainless steel exhaust system, Nismo LMZ5 19in forged wheels, stiffer suspension, and uprated brakes.

We also have images from a Japanese catalog that shows both a Nismo S-Tune ‘Aero’ and ‘Performance’ kit, as well as what appears to be a pricing list at the end. The pricing list also makes reference to an 'S' version, a 'T' version and an 'ST' version, and the final pricing for the cars appears to fall into the vicinity of ¥3.5 million (approximately $35,600) depending on what spec is chosen.

The standard 370Z is scheduled to make its official debut at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show and is set to go on sale early next year.

Photos from EICMA 2008


Our good friend, Jaques, who's based in Portugal, sent us these pics from the EICMA. Thank you, Jaques, and hope to see you at the EICMA next year...!





Friday, November 7, 2008

2008 Chevrolet Camaro LS7 Concept

2008 Chevrolet Camaro LS7 Concept
2008 Chevrolet Camaro LS7 Concept


Chevrolet introduces a quartet of stunning concepts based on the all-new, 2010 Camaro at the 2008 SEMA Show. The concepts join regular-production and accessorized models, along with a dream collection of vintage Camaros – including rare COPO, Indy Pace Car and early Z28 models – to mark the introduction of Chevy's re-born sports car. The Camaro is the official car of the 2008 SEMA show.

Each of the concepts represents a different interpretation of the new Camaro's performance, styling and personalization possibilities, from no-holds-barred high-performance to carefully crafted, street-savvy customizing.

"The new Camaro is a 21st century sports car for the young and young at heart," said Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet. "Wherever your automotive passion lies, the Camaro complements it with world-class design and an exciting driving experience. The concepts unveiled at SEMA accentuate those qualities and trigger the imaginations of countless enthusiasts."

In addition to the concept and classic Camaros, a production 2010 model showed off the range of appearance, performance and convenience accessories that will be available from Chevrolet when the car hits dealerships early next year. The accessories allow customers to personalize their vehicle with genuine Chevy components that are designed, tested and warranted to the same standards as the Camaro itself.

As for the Camaro concepts, they show the extreme possibilities of what the new sports car can offer. See below for highlights on all four vehicles.

Camaro LS7 Concept: Designed to highlight the capability of the new Camaro as a weekend bracket warrior, the Camaro LS7 Concept combines the power of a GM Performance Parts' LS7 crate engine and targeted bolt-on upgrades to deliver the wheels-up spirit of the legendary COPO Camaros.

Made famous by Chevy dealers like Don Yenko and Fred Gibb in the late 1960s, the COPO cars were ordered for one thing: drag racing. They were quickly outfitted after delivery with the requisite tires, safety equipment and other accessories necessary for competition in popular Stock-class drag racing series.

The LS7 Concept honors the COPO ethos with features such as drag strip-ready rubber on the rear wheels – and unlike many of the stripped-down racers from 40 years ago, this strip-ready competitor serves double duty as both a racecar and a daily driver.

The LS7 crate engine (part number 17802397) uses a high-performance replacement camshaft from GM Performance Parts (part number 12480033) to help it produce approximately 550 horsepower. Complementing upgrades include GM Performance Parts-developed headers and air intake system that will be offered at the Camaro's launch in early 2009. The LS7 also is modified with a wet-sump oiling system; the production engine features a dry-sump system that requires an external oil tank.

Backing the LS7 engine is a production Tremec 6060 six-speed manual with a GM Performance Parts Hurst shifter. Additional drivetrain details include:

* Brembo four-wheel disc brake package

* Lowered ride height

* Custom 20-inch wheels

* Driveshaft safety loop

* GM Performance Parts exhaust system

The Camaro LS7 concept is painted Victory Red, with matte black accents on the hood and taillamp panel. "LS7" logos are strategically placed and warn those in the know this Camaro means business when the Christmas tree lights count down to green. It's all business on the spartan interior, too, with base trim and few accessories to minimize overall mass for a quicker elapsed time.

Although the Camaro LS7 Concept is just that – a concept – its duplication by enterprising enthusiasts and racers is enabled by GM Performance Parts' LS7 crate engine package. It delivers a fully assembled, production version of the engine, complete from the intake manifold to oil pan. An oil reservoir for the standard dry sump system and GM Performance Parts' LS7 engine controller (part number 19166567) are all that's necessary to get the engine running in an enthusiast's project vehicle – well, that and a chassis capable of handling more than 500 lb.-ft. of torque

2008 Chevrolet Camaro Dale Earnhardt Jr. Concept

2008 Chevrolet Camaro Dale Earnhardt Jr. Concept

NASCAR star Dale Jr. is fan of vintage Camaros – he cruises around in a Pro Touring-style '72 Camaro powered by a GM Performance Parts LS crate engine – and the heritage-inspired design of the 2010 Camaro appeals to him like a checkered flag at Daytona. His vision for the car was channeled to GM's designers and crafted in a multi-color combination of style, capability and comfort.

They started with a new Camaro SS that uses the standard 6.2L V-8, but modified to use E85. Taking advantage of E85's favorable octane rating, the engine was calibrated to deliver a few extra horsepower, with the exhaust exiting through GM Performance Parts' new headers. It's backed by the SS's available six-speed manual transmission and GM Accessories' short-throw Hurst shifter. Additional performance enhancements include a Brembo brake package and a lowered ride height, giving Dale Jr.'s Camaro a sleeker look to match its road-hugging capability.

A custom gray-over-white paint scheme blends the high-performance drivetrain with serious style. It is accented with an orange stripe separating the gray and white sections. Also generating attention on the exterior is a set of 21-inch, five-spoke wheels inspired by the Camaro Convertible Concept. They feature dark-painted center sections on the spokes that complement the body's gray color. The wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero ZR-rated performance tires.

Additional exterior details include:

• Chevy Accessories grille

• Chevy Accessories ground effects and rear diffuser

• Chevy Accessories exhaust system

• Early Camaro-style "dovetail" rear spoiler

• Production high-intensity discharge headlamps

• Production RS taillamps

Similarly, the interior is outfitted for performance and style, including:

• Custom-trimmed leather-and-suede-covered seats with accent stitching

• Leather-trimmed steering wheel, shift knob, door armrests and center console lid, with accent stitching

• Carbon-fiber treatment on the instrument panel and door panel inserts

• Racing-style aluminum pedals

• Production-optional four-pack auxiliary gauge cluster

• Revised gauge cluster with unique graphics and colors

• Custom sill plates

Dale Jr. also specified Chevy Accessories' upgraded audio system for the Camaro, which is matched with a Boston Acoustics speaker system, including amps and subwoofers.

Story by General Motors Corporation