Alex Kaufmann, Author
Articles
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So far 2008 has been about the renewal and reinvigoration of Porsche's 911 lineup, with the highest-performance variants still to receive their dual-clutch PDK gearboxes and direct-injection... -
Technical details for Mini E electric HardtopMini has released the full technical details for the all-electric version of its two-door Cooper hatch, which is set to be delivered in an initial batch of 500 examples to customers in the United States later this year. BMW is using its Mini brand to test the waters with its electric powertrain...
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Porsche Cayenne GTS by JE DESIGNGerman tuning house JE DESIGN previously specialized in customizing cars from Seat, such as the Leon Cupra hot-hatch we reported on last year. Gradually, the tuner has taken its hand at customizing large SUVs from the Volkswagen Group, such as the VW Touareg and Audi Q7. The firm has now developed...
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Hybrid option planned for new Lexus compactLexus is unlikely to launch a model positioned below the IS250 in the United States but that doesn’t mean it won’t develop a new entry-level car for other markets. One possibility is Europe, where premium hatchbacks sell in substantial numbers. The carmaker’s executive vice...
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Mercedes To Include BLK SUV In Upcoming B-ClassEarlier this year it was revealed that Mercedes-Benz was halting production of the current A-Class and B-Class after the current cycle and replacing the two aging models with a new family of small vehicles ranging from cabrios to sports coupes. We reported that this replacement would entail a whole...
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2010 Ford Mustang pricing leaked ahead of L.A. Auto Show debutClick here for all the details on the 2010 Ford Mustang. With rising fuel prices and increased environmental concerns pushing customers towards smaller cars, Ford is well aware of the negative image its brawny Mustang projects on new car buyers. Due late next year for the 2010 model year, Ford will...
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Renowned German tuner Hamann has developed a number of heavily modified sports cars in the past, the most recent being the Mercedes-McLaren SLR ‘Volcano’ supercar. Lately, however, the... -
edo modified Porsche Cayenne GTS gets 450hpThe idea of a high-performance SUV seems oxymoronic to some, but Porsche's Cayenne, especially the GTS, Turbo and Turbo S variants, go a long way to quell any doubt. With the extra power and aggressive setup performed by edo, the matter is pressed even further. Cranking out 450hp (331kW) and...
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Spy shots: 2011 Fiat Panda test-muleThe European minicar segment has seen a number of new additions in the past 12 months, with cars like the second-generation Ford Ka and new Renault Twingo recently making their appearance. Competition is set to be rife with Toyota joining the ranks with its new iQ minicar and Volkswagen’s...
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Faster 9ff GT9 ‘R’ in the worksEngineers at 9ff finally reached their goal of building a car capable of toppling the Bugatti Veyron’s top speed title by unveiling the 409km/h (254mph) GT9 supercar earlier this year. However, during the car’s long gestation, a new speed king arrived on the market in the form of the...
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Mansory acquires Rinspeed's Porsche modification businessMansory GmbH, a tuner specializing in customizing ultra-luxury cars such as the Mercedes-McLaren SLR and the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, have announced that they have "absorbed" the Porsche tuning division of Rinspeed - the same company that brought you the James Bond Inspired sQuba submersible...
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Spy shots: 2010 Mercedes E63 AMG Estate spied againThe next-generation Mercedes Benz E-class has again been spotted in testing but this time the prototype is for the high-performance AMG ‘Estate’ wagon. The images were taken as the test vehicle was completing laps of Germany’s Nurburgring circuit and reveal the final shape of the...
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The S-Class has long been known as a Mercedes' platform for innovation of all kinds, especially technology and safety features. That's never been more true, and for 2009, the E-Class will join it... -
Volkswagen confirms roadster concept for NAIASVolkswagen is reportedly working on an affordable mid-engine sports car, which it plans to release sometime early next decade. A concept of the car was originally slated for debut at this month’s Los Angeles Auto Show, however a company spokesman has now revealed the concept’s released...
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Australian-built hydrogen race car targets world speed recordThe Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), an Australian university, has unveiled Australia's first hydrogen powered race car, dubbed 'Formula H' and developed in conjunction with the Fachhochschule Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences. With speeds of around 106mph (170km/h) expected...
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Mercedes releases two special-edition ML63 AMG SUVsIn 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...
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Kicherer launches new kit for the Mercedes Benz CL65 AMGKicherer may not be as well known as its rival German tuners such as Brabus and MTM, but the company has a penchant for building some of the most stylish and aggressive kits in the business - especially when it comes to modifying cars from Mercedes Benz. Some recent highlights include the SL63 Evo...
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Porsche's new museum chooses its first exhibitsA museum of Porsche's greatest vehicles quietly launched its first twelve choices for its exhibits yesterday, with a total of 80 to be on display by the end of the week. Among the first dozen displays are the legendary 356 Cabriolet and the first prototype of the Porsche 924. The museum is not yet...
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Bucking an industry trend toward outsourcing the construction of motors and hybrid assemblies to high-tech companies with similar experience in non-autmotive fields, a new report indicates Volkswagen... -
Widebody Mercedes Benz CL-Class by Japan’s VITT PerformanceWe’re used to seeing plenty of modified Mercs from the German tuners, but rarely do we see a Japanese customizer give the Teutonic saloons and coupes the aftermarket treatment. VITT Performance is one such tuner that specializes in the modification of some of Europe’s finest, and for...
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Novitec Rosso releases 808hp supercharger kit for the Ferrari 599 GTBGerman 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 downforace, as well as some mild handling upgrades, and a...
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Early look at Seat’s upcoming Tribu SUVThe once cash-strapped Seat brand is on the verge of developing a range of new models, with no less than four different vehicles planned for production within the next three to four years. The launch of the Ibiza hatch in April was just the tip of the iceberg as the Spanish carmaker is now working...
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Hamann boosts performance of BMW’s X6 rangeGerman tuner Hamann is known for its extensive reworkings of BMW models, as well as other exotica such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Ferrari 430. Its latest project is a new-look design for the BMW X6 crossover. Starting with the X6 xDrive35i, Hamann engineers boost power to 360hp (265kW) and...
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Abu Dhabi F1 track to feature underground pit laneNext year’s F1 calendar will see the introduction of Abu Dhabi as the location for the final race, with Brazil moving into the penultimate spot. Pictures of the track, which will be located on Yas Island and called the ‘Yas Marina Circuit’, were recently showcased to a number of...
Alex Kaufmann