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  • Edo Competition Turns The Ferrari Enzo Into Street-Legal XX Evolution

    Edo Competition Turns The Ferrari Enzo Into Street-Legal XX Evolution September 18th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 18th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 3 Comments

    Edo Competition Turns The Ferrari Enzo Into Street-Legal XX Evolution

    Despite only 400 Ferrari Enzos being produced in total (not including the even more extreme FXX and FXX Evolution models), German tuner Edo Competition has managed to turn the ultra-rare supercar into a street-legal version of the FXX Evolution.

    For anyone unfamiliar with the FXX and FXX Evolution, the cars are a development test-bed for new technologies that will eventually filter across to Ferrari’s road cars. Those few lucky owners are given the chance to drive it regularly on Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Italy, where the automaker’s own engineers compile useful data from the track sessions to help develop future...

    Despite only 400 Ferrari Enzos being produced in total (not including the even more extreme FXX and FXX Evolution models), German tuner Edo Competition has managed to turn the ultra-rare supercar into a street-legal version of the FXX Evolution. For anyone unfamiliar with the FXX and FXX Evolution, the cars are a development test-bed for new technologies that will eventually filter across to Ferrari’s road cars. Those few lucky owners are given the chance to drive it regularly on Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Italy, where the automaker’s own engineers compile useful data from the track sessions to help develop future models. For this reason, the FXX cars were never intended to be driven on public roads. That was never going to stop Edo Competition’s founder Edo Karabegovic, who saw modifying them as a challenge. One year ago we saw Edo Competition modify the FXX to make it street legal and now the company has taken the Enzo and essentially converted it into a street-legal version of the FXX Evolution. A bump in displacement from 6.0 to 6.3-liters, new camshafts, new titanium valve spring retainers and connecting rods, modified cylinder heads, new high performance exhaust headers, high flow catalytic converters, mufflers and air filters: that's the scope of Edo Competition's engine modifications. The standard hydraulic tappets are replaced with newly developed solid tappets, enabling the 12 cylinder engine to rev to an incredible 9,600 rpm. Additionally, the intake system of the V-12 was modified, a new high performance clutch--available with “strada” or “pista” friction pads--and a more powerful oil pump were installed. The power output is increased by 180 to 840 horsepower. Without mufflers more than 860 horsepower is possible. The maximum torque of 575 pound-feet is available at 5,800 rpm. While the power output is increased, the Enzo's weight is decreased by a respectable 220 pounds. The result in numerical terms is that the Edo-prepped “Enzo XX Evolution” accelerates from 0 -62 mph in 3.2 seconds, 124 mph in 9.0 seconds and 186 mph in just 19 seconds. The top speed exceeds 242 mph. The acoustical side of things are obviously not being neglected. A stainless steel muffler featuring remote-controlled butterfly valves is available on request. This setup lets the driver switch the high performance exhaust between two different sound levels. In terms of the drivetrain, while the production Enzo takes 110 milliseconds for gear shifts, the Edo Enzo XX Evolution shift times are reduced to an incredible 60 milliseconds. For comparison, an F1 car shifts in 40 milliseconds. Other mods include a race-spec suspension set-up from KW Automotive that features low-friction 3-way adjustable shock absorbers, tire pressure monitoring systems, Edo Competition wheels, and several aerodynamic aids. A test day with an instructor, mechanics, data logging, transport and hospitality is included in the conversion package. Read More

  • Roush Reveals 540HP 2010 Ford Mustangs

    Roush Reveals 540HP 2010 Ford Mustangs September 18th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 18th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Roush Reveals 540HP 2010 Ford Mustangs

    Roush has finally taken the wraps of its latest tuning package for the 2010 Ford Mustang, with two new levels of tune available for sale this fall. Both offer up to 540 horsepower, as well as overt styling and a smorgasbord of other performance modifications.

    Power comes from a supercharged version of the Mustang GT’s 4.6-liter V-8. Along with the supercharger, Roush engineers also add forged aluminum pistons, a forged steel crankshaft and new fuel rails and injectors.

    The range-topping model is the Stage 3 Mustang, which Roush will be limited to just 103 units for 2010. The Stage 3 package features a upper billet grille, a full...

    Roush has finally taken the wraps of its latest tuning package for the 2010 Ford Mustang, with two new levels of tune available for sale this fall. Both offer up to 540 horsepower, as well as overt styling and a smorgasbord of other performance modifications. Power comes from a supercharged version of the Mustang GT’s 4.6-liter V-8. Along with the supercharger, Roush engineers also add forged aluminum pistons, a forged steel crankshaft and new fuel rails and injectors. The range-topping model is the Stage 3 Mustang, which Roush will be limited to just 103 units for 2010. The Stage 3 package features a upper billet grille, a full bodykit, four-piston calipers biting 14-inch brake discs and 18-inch chrome wheels as standard (20-inch wheels are optional). Inside, designers have also gone over the top with full leather seats featuring the embroidered signature of Jack Roush, illuminated skid plates, a short-throw shifter and custom badging. Pricing for the Stage 3 kit starts at $59,945. One of the performance bargains of the year would have to be the 540RH package, which gets the same potent powertrain as the Stage 3 Mustang but is priced from $46,145. Other elements include a new suspension package, rear spoiler and a short-throw shifter. Read More

  • Hurst To Auction Special Edition Camaro At 2009 SEMA

    Hurst To Auction Special Edition Camaro At 2009 SEMA September 17th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 17th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 0 Comments

    Hurst To Auction Special Edition Camaro At 2009 SEMA

    The rebirth of the American muscle car was about as ill-timed as it could be given the industry's global meltdown in the past 12 months, but somehow General Motors’ new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has managed to be a stellar performer--both on the track and in showrooms. Now, American performance workshop Hurst has announced that it will auction its first modified version of the Camaro prior to the 2009 SEMA Auto Show in November.

    Along with today’s announcement, Hurst has also released the first few tentative details for its new Camaro Performance Series along with this preview rendering.

    The first example will be finished almost...

    The rebirth of the American muscle car was about as ill-timed as it could be given the industry's global meltdown in the past 12 months, but somehow General Motors’ new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has managed to be a stellar performer--both on the track and in showrooms. Now, American performance workshop Hurst has announced that it will auction its first modified version of the Camaro prior to the 2009 SEMA Auto Show in November. Along with today’s announcement, Hurst has also released the first few tentative details for its new Camaro Performance Series along with this preview rendering. The first example will be finished almost completely in black, broken only by silver and red stripes. Other details include 20-inch forged aluminium T-2 wheels, a short-throw shifter, rear wing-spoiler, and unique badging. Performance modifications will include an Eibach suspension set-up, a high-flow Magnaflow stainless-steel exhaust and a K&N intake. Being built by Hurst, you can bet there will be some much more serious mods appearing on the car once it’s ready. The Hurst prepped Camaro will be auctioned on eBay Motors during the two weeks prior to the show. All proceeds are to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket. Read More

  • Brabus Bringing 750HP Mercedes Benz S-Class to Frankfurt Auto Show

    Brabus Bringing 750HP Mercedes Benz S-Class to Frankfurt Auto Show September 7th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 7th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Brabus Bringing 750HP Mercedes Benz S-Class to Frankfurt Auto Show

    It wouldn’t be a European auto show without some outrageous creation from Brabus and for this year’s Frankfurt auto show the German tuner hasn’t disappointed. This month Brabus will unveil what it claims to be the world’s fastest and most powerful executive luxury sedan: the new SV12 R Biturbo 750 based on the facelifted 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

    The modified sedan has been fitted with the tuning firm’s twin-turbocharged V12 engine, which in its latest form outputs a heady 750 horsepower and 995 pound-feet of torque. The mighty mill is a prime example for the old adage that there’s no replacement for displacement.

    A special crankshaft...

    It wouldn’t be a European auto show without some outrageous creation from Brabus and for this year’s Frankfurt auto show the German tuner hasn’t disappointed. This month Brabus will unveil what it claims to be the world’s fastest and most powerful executive luxury sedan: the new SV12 R Biturbo 750 based on the facelifted 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The modified sedan has been fitted with the tuning firm’s twin-turbocharged V12 engine, which in its latest form outputs a heady 750 horsepower and 995 pound-feet of torque. The mighty mill is a prime example for the old adage that there’s no replacement for displacement. A special crankshaft with longer stroke, forged pistons with a larger diameter and an increased cylinder bore result in a displacement increase from standard 5.5 to now 6.3-liters. In addition, the inlet and outlet ports of both cylinder heads are optimized for improved mixture flow. Four special camshafts also contribute to that same effect. The engine is also upgraded with larger turbochargers, an optimized intercooling system and a stainless-steel exhaust system with high-flow catalysts. The ECU also gets retuned to ensure the vehicle meets EURO IV emission regulations. The end result is a 0-62 mph time of 4.0 seconds flat and a top speed of 211 mph. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a modified five-speed automatic transmission. An optional Brabus locking differential optimizes traction. Stopping power comes from a high-performance brake system with 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 380x36 mm vented and cross-drilled discs in front, and 355x28 mm discs and six-piston aluminum fixed calipers on the rear axle. These reside within Brabus’ Monoblock light-alloy wheels measuring up to 21 inches in diameter. Read More

  • Mansory Goes Carbon-Crazy With The Porsche Cayenne Chopster

    Mansory Goes Carbon-Crazy With The Porsche Cayenne Chopster September 6th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 6th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 0 Comments

    Mansory Goes Carbon-Crazy With The Porsche Cayenne Chopster

    In the world of high-end car modification, there's extreme, there's insane, and then there's Mansory. But anyone that's actually been inside a Mansory vehicle knows the attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into their over-the-top designs--they reek of quality. So the chopped, dropped and almost completely carbon fiber Porsche Chopster isn't really that out of the ordinary--for Mansory, anyway.

    Oddly enough, the Chopster isn't a pure Mansory vehicle--it's one of the first fruits of Mansory's purchase of Rinspeed's Porsche tuning arm, which happened last November. Nevertheless, the gang at Mansory has had time to put their own spin...

    In the world of high-end car modification, there's extreme, there's insane, and then there's Mansory. But anyone that's actually been inside a Mansory vehicle knows the attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into their over-the-top designs--they reek of quality. So the chopped, dropped and almost completely carbon fiber Porsche Chopster isn't really that out of the ordinary--for Mansory, anyway. Oddly enough, the Chopster isn't a pure Mansory vehicle--it's one of the first fruits of Mansory's purchase of Rinspeed's Porsche tuning arm, which happened last November. Nevertheless, the gang at Mansory has had time to put their own spin on the idea, and it shows in the detail shots. While the first generation of the Chopster made its debut last March at the Geneva Motor Show, a new iteration of the heavily modified SUV has now made an appearance on the eve of this month’s 2009 Frankfurt auto show. In addition to the body mods, which widen the vehicle by 80 mm, the Chopster gets a number of performance upgrades, including boosted braking power with some enormous 420 mm rotors up front and 375 mm units in the rear. That much braking power might seem like overkill, but the pizza-pan rotors will barely look normal inside the massive 23x11 inch wheels--and the Cayenne is a big vehicle, after all. Plus, once you get the 710 horsepower turbocharged V-8 under the hood wound up, you might just be glad for all that stopping power. Once it's back under control, however, 665 pound-feet of torque will kick the show back into high gear in no time. Top speed is a claimed 188 mph. The interior gets any number of totally customizable elements as well, with the show car sporting a refrigerator, DVD player, internet-enabled laptop, head-rest monitor screens and more. Just about anything a customer can dream of, Mansory will do. As for pricing, as the saying goes: if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it. Read More

  • Novitec Rosso Releases State 3 Supercharger Kit For The Ferrari 599 GTB

    Novitec Rosso Releases State 3 Supercharger Kit For The Ferrari 599 GTB September 4th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 4th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 5 Comments

    Novitec Rosso Releases State 3 Supercharger Kit For The Ferrari 599 GTB

    German tuner Novitec Rosso has released details about a new modified Ferrari 599 GTB that builds upon its previous version by adding a new forced-induction system. The new package consists of a subtle styling kit for increased downforce, as well as some mild handling upgrades, and a supercharger kit.

    The new developments increase power output of the car’s 6.0-liter V-12 engine by 40 horsepower--up to 660 horsepower--without any alterations to the inner workings.

    The conversion consists of new engine electronics and a complete Novitec Rosso stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system. The new engine management system comprises new...

    German tuner Novitec Rosso has released details about a new modified Ferrari 599 GTB that builds upon its previous version by adding a new forced-induction system. The new package consists of a subtle styling kit for increased downforce, as well as some mild handling upgrades, and a supercharger kit. The new developments increase power output of the car’s 6.0-liter V-12 engine by 40 horsepower--up to 660 horsepower--without any alterations to the inner workings. The conversion consists of new engine electronics and a complete Novitec Rosso stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system. The new engine management system comprises new mapping for ignition and injection as well as increase in maximum engine speed to 8,550rpm. Throttle response of the force-fed engine is said to be crisper with more power and torque coming in at lower revs. The higher redline speed also increases top speed to 208 mph. Also on offer is a new aero kit that consists of a new front lip, side skirts with larger air intake openings, side flaps, a new rear wing and a bumper with an integrated diffuser. The car also gets new 20 inch wheels at the front with larger 21 inch wheels at the rear and 355 mm Pirelli P Zeros. Other changes to the 599 include a KW Automotive adjustable aluminum suspension kit, as well as 405 mm brake discs with Brembo six piston calipers. Read More

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