Details emerge on 2011 Lotus Scura

Motor Authority - blog Tag: Custom

  • Video: Switzer R850 Nissan GT-R Tuned For Race Fuel

    Video: Switzer R850 Nissan GT-R Tuned For Race Fuel August 21st, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, August 21st, 2009 Kenneth Hall 3 Comments

    Video: Switzer R850 Nissan GT-R Tuned For Race Fuel

    Tuning a twin-turbo, 480-horsepower V-6-powered AWD sports car might seem like an exercise in futility - after all, where are you going to open it up - but when you look beyond the street and to the race track, it becomes a bit more reasonable. And for those that like to spend their weekends pushing their skill and equipment to the limits, Switzer Performance's latest Nissan GT-R is an intriguing toy. Today's update brings confirmation of the 850 horsepower crank rating and more details on the car, including a dyno plot.

    The standard P800 Nissan GT-R manages its name-giving 800 horsepower at the crank on standard 93-octane pump gas, but...

    Tuning a twin-turbo, 480-horsepower V-6-powered AWD sports car might seem like an exercise in futility - after all, where are you going to open it up - but when you look beyond the street and to the race track, it becomes a bit more reasonable. And for those that like to spend their weekends pushing their skill and equipment to the limits, Switzer Performance's latest Nissan GT-R is an intriguing toy. Today's update brings confirmation of the 850 horsepower crank rating and more details on the car, including a dyno plot. The standard P800 Nissan GT-R manages its name-giving 800 horsepower at the crank on standard 93-octane pump gas, but some owners and enthusiasts wanted to see what Switzer could do when higher octane race gas was used. Switzer was happy to oblige, as the video below demonstrates. "We've bent a bit to the demands of those customers that are using their GTRs primarily as trackday cars, and developed a new 'R' package specifically for them," said Tym Switzer. Hitting a delivered 740 horespower and 715 pound-feet of torque at the wheels, the car earns its R850 name, with an estimated 850 horsepower at the crank based on a pretty standard assumption of 15% drivetrain loss. Switzer explained: "We're seeing consistent dyno results in excess of 740 all-wheel-horsepower and 715 pound-feet, pull after pull. Most everyone seems to agree that the GTR has about a 15% driveline loss. Based on that, this kit is making well over 850 horsepower and 820 pound-feet at the crank." But enough talk - check out the video to see for yourself what it sounds like when 850hp is uncorked in an enclosed space. Hint: it's loud.   Switzer's R850 Nissan GT-R hits the dyno Read More

  • Build your own 2010 Ford Mustang with online customizer

    Build your own 2010 Ford Mustang with online customizer August 5th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, August 5th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    Build your own 2010 Ford Mustang with online customizer So you want a shiny new 2010 Ford Mustang, but you can't decide what you want to do with it once you've got it? Or even worse, you can't find one you like on the lot, and you don't like ordering blind off a list of options? Well, fret no more, Ford has released an online configurator that lets you customize your 'Stang right down to the amount of smoke billowing from the rear fender wells.

    The customizer is surprisingly flexible and easy to use. Rather than stepping forward and backward through and endless maze of options and packages, Ford lets you build your Mustang from a smorgasbord of options, including stripes, colors, wheels,... So you want a shiny new 2010 Ford Mustang, but you can't decide what you want to do with it once you've got it? Or even worse, you can't find one you like on the lot, and you don't like ordering blind off a list of options? Well, fret no more, Ford has released an online configurator that lets you customize your 'Stang right down to the amount of smoke billowing from the rear fender wells. The customizer is surprisingly flexible and easy to use. Rather than stepping forward and backward through and endless maze of options and packages, Ford lets you build your Mustang from a smorgasbord of options, including stripes, colors, wheels, spoilers, decals, and more. The picture above is an example of what 5 minutes and a grain of creativity can get you. To test your design ability or just waste a few minutes at work before punching out and heading home, head on over to Ford's Mustang Customizer site and check it out. Via: Autoblog2010 Ford Mustang Read More

  • Porsche shows off customization options for the new Panamera

    Porsche shows off customization options for the new Panamera August 4th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, August 4th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Porsche shows off customization options for the new Panamera Some say it's anathema to Porsche's sportscar heritage, but surely it's no more so than the Cayenne. Others argue it's the logical extension of the Porsche brand, or at worst a necessary evil to keep Porsche in the business of building those wonderful 911s. But whatever your feelings about the 2010 Panamera, it's clearly a very serious sedan.

    Serious in terms of performance, capability and features, a point illustrated today by Porsche's announcement of the wide range of customization options for the Panamera.

    Starting with materials such as leather, wood, aluminum and carbon fiber, Porsche melds the raw stuff into a finely finished... Some say it's anathema to Porsche's sportscar heritage, but surely it's no more so than the Cayenne. Others argue it's the logical extension of the Porsche brand, or at worst a necessary evil to keep Porsche in the business of building those wonderful 911s. But whatever your feelings about the 2010 Panamera, it's clearly a very serious sedan. Serious in terms of performance, capability and features, a point illustrated today by Porsche's announcement of the wide range of customization options for the Panamera. Starting with materials such as leather, wood, aluminum and carbon fiber, Porsche melds the raw stuff into a finely finished product, able to be tailored to the individual buyer's needs through its Porsche Exclusive & Tequipment arm. Some examples include the Yachting Mahogany wood trim panels available on the dashboard, center console and doors, plus grab handles and finally the steering wheel. An Interior Package adds body color elements to the air vents and the key fob, and the classic Porsche logo is also available on the headrests. The Rear Seat Entertainment System offers individual seatback-mounted CD/DVD players, infrared cordless headsets, AV inputs and game console and iPod interfaces. On the outside of the Panamera, buyers can add special body color air intake and outlet grids, plus a custom lower rear panel and rear diffuser also in body color. For those that simply can't get enough of the Porsche Tequipment style, there are also luggage racks, roof transport systems, bicylce racks, and even a complete set of fitted bags and cases, including a 12-volt cooling bag, designed to match the Panamera. The complete range of Panamera Exclusive features is available now at all Porsche Centers, with the Tequipment Cataloque to follow next month.2010 Porsche Panamera Exclusive & Tequipment options Read More

  • Elite unveils hardcore, lightweight LMV/R Aston Martin Vantage

    Elite unveils hardcore, lightweight LMV/R Aston Martin Vantage August 4th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, August 4th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 4 Comments

    Elite unveils hardcore, lightweight LMV/R Aston Martin Vantage There's no shortage of customized or modified Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, but few go as all-out toward pure, unadulterated speed as the Elite LMV/R. Comparing its creation to Lamborghini's Superleggera cars or Ferrari's Scuderia and Stradale offerings, the Elite LMV/R, based on Aston Martin's Vantage, promises real performance through extensive modification.

    Named for Aston's history at Le Mans (the LMV/R stands for Le Mans Vintage Racer), the car is clearly aspiring toward streetable trackworthiness. The main change is a complete carbon fiber body kit, including front and rear bumper covers, canards, splitter, side... There's no shortage of customized or modified Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, but few go as all-out toward pure, unadulterated speed as the Elite LMV/R. Comparing its creation to Lamborghini's Superleggera cars or Ferrari's Scuderia and Stradale offerings, the Elite LMV/R, based on Aston Martin's Vantage, promises real performance through extensive modification. Named for Aston's history at Le Mans (the LMV/R stands for Le Mans Vintage Racer), the car is clearly aspiring toward streetable trackworthiness. The main change is a complete carbon fiber body kit, including front and rear bumper covers, canards, splitter, side skirts, 2in wider front and rear fenders, rear quarter panel extensions, trunk lid, rear wing and rear diffuser. That's a lot of carbon fiber - but it doesn't stop there. Inside the engine bay and cockpit there's a full carbon fiber appearance treatment as well. Alcantara upholstery gives a sporting appearance where carbon fiber isn't appropriate, and a serial numbered plaque marks each LMV/R as one of just 30 very special Aston Martins. Further performance enhancements are made with lowering springs, a big brake kit, revised exhaust system, and 20in wheels and tires to match the wider body kit. The LMV/R will be assembled in Florida at Elite's workshop, based on the 2010 Aston Martin Vantage. Pricing for the exclusive, hardcore Vantage starts at $173,000, though customization and additional options from Elite and Aston Martin can drive the package price higher. Cars can be purchased through Elite's exclusive distributor, Exotica Motorsports. Read More

  • Video: Switzer Performance P800 package Porsche 911 hits the dyno

    Video: Switzer Performance P800 package Porsche 911 hits the dyno August 3rd, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, August 3rd, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 0 Comments

    Video: Switzer Performance P800 package Porsche 911 hits the dyno It's a classic recipe: take one high-performance sports car, add power to taste. How powerful you like it depends largely on your budget, but this time Switzer has made one for people not only with large bank accounts, but also with a huge appetite for speed. Starting with a stock Porsche 911 997 twin-turbo, the tuners end up with a car capable of sub-3-second 0-60mph runs and consistent 10.5-second quarter miles.

    That's nothing to sneeze at, and it's all the more impressive considering how much wasn't changed from the standard car. For instance, it still runs on standard 93 octane pump gas. It still uses the stock intake manifold and... It's a classic recipe: take one high-performance sports car, add power to taste. How powerful you like it depends largely on your budget, but this time Switzer has made one for people not only with large bank accounts, but also with a huge appetite for speed. Starting with a stock Porsche 911 997 twin-turbo, the tuners end up with a car capable of sub-3-second 0-60mph runs and consistent 10.5-second quarter miles. That's nothing to sneeze at, and it's all the more impressive considering how much wasn't changed from the standard car. For instance, it still runs on standard 93 octane pump gas. It still uses the stock intake manifold and throttle body, and it's an easier install process than the Switzer 911 GT2 Sledgehammer package it's based on. Delivering the power through a more street-friendly AWD system doesn't hurt things either, but once the twin Garret GT30 turbochargers - with custom billet compressor wheels - are strapped on and gases are piped through Switzer's custom exhaust and headers, the engine generates a full 800hp, giving the P800 package its numerical significance. Other upgrades include a carbon clutch, electronic boost control, Monster brand intercoolers, and custom ECU software. The P800 package is now available through Switzer Performance dealers, but you'll have to contact them yourself to find out how much it costs. To see and hear the car in action, check out the video of a testing dyno run below.800hp Switzer Performance P800 Porsche 997TTSwitzer Performance L5 800 package Porsche 911 hits the dyno Read More

  • Lotus USA now offering supercharger kits for standard Elise, Exige

    Lotus USA now offering supercharger kits for standard Elise, Exige August 3rd, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, August 3rd, 2009 Nelson Ireson 4 Comments

    Lotus USA now offering supercharger kits for standard Elise, Exige The power-to-lightness ratio of the naturally-aspirated Lotus Elise and Exige models has never been found lacking, being some of the most competent street/track cars available today. But for those that would like a little more grunt with their grace, Lotus Cars USA is now offering the same kit available on the Lotus Elise SC as a standalone upgrade for existing Elise and Exige owners.

    The kit uses the same supercharger and integrated intake manifold as the production Elise SC, and can be installed on any Elise or Exige with the Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine. Power output is increased from the standard 189hp to 218hp when the kit is applied in... The power-to-lightness ratio of the naturally-aspirated Lotus Elise and Exige models has never been found lacking, being some of the most competent street/track cars available today. But for those that would like a little more grunt with their grace, Lotus Cars USA is now offering the same kit available on the Lotus Elise SC as a standalone upgrade for existing Elise and Exige owners. The kit uses the same supercharger and integrated intake manifold as the production Elise SC, and can be installed on any Elise or Exige with the Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine. Power output is increased from the standard 189hp to 218hp when the kit is applied in conjunction with new high-flow fuel injectors and a reprogrammed ECU. Fitting the extra power bits into the Elise's already tight mid-engine bay is no doubt a feat of engineering, so the availability of the factory-engineered piece will be a welcome addition to many Lotus-filled garages. More than just raw power, however, the upgrade lifts torque output to 155lb-ft and moves the torque peak down to a much more available and enjoyable 5,000rpm from the 6,800rpm naturally-aspirated peak. That will give the Elise and Exige much more stoplight potential as well as better part-throttle response in real-world driving conditions. “Lotus Elise and Exige owners are genuine driving enthusiasts and that’s what has attracted them to Lotus cars in the first place,” said Lotus Cars USA Director of Operations Arnie Johnson. “They will fully appreciate the dramatically enhanced driving character these Lotus Supercharger Kits will bring their vehicles and the peace of mind from a fully warranted, factory engineered kit.” Pricing hasn't been released yet, but the kit is available for purchase and installation at all U.S. and Canadian authorized Lotus dealers. Read More

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