Video: Mercedes SLS

More and new footage of the car during testing, even though it has been showed undisguised at Frankfurt.

Making of: Ferrari 458 Italia

Nice way to be around supercars: making commercial movies!

Amuzing statistics: 10.000 visits today!

Wanna say thanks to all you that have visited this blog. Six weeks after I started to measure visits, 10.000 hits was reached today. That makes it worth the effort.

Breitling Cosmonaute: Astronaut yourself

Breitling has relaunched a limited run of their Cosmonaute. I mean, how do you otherwise celebrate 125 years in the business?
Here is the pressrelease with tasty details:

COSMONAUTE LIMITED EDITION
1962. The space race was well under way. Already a supplier to civilian and military aviation, Breitling naturally took a keen interest in this new human adventure. Based on the Navitimer chronograph, the brand’s technicians developed the Cosmonaute, a space-going version of this instrument indicating the daily 24 hours in a single sweep of the dial. Given the extremely relative nature of day and night in space, this configuration prevents possible confusion between midday and midnight. On May 24th 1962, the astronaut Scott Carpenter tested this instrument under real-life conditions during his orbital flight aboard the Aurora 7 capsule.

For its 125th anniversary, Breitling has chosen to issue a limited series of the model that became the first wrist chronograph to experience space travel. Only 1,000 of these Cosmonaute watches will be produced, all equipped for the occasion with an original version of the intriguing 24-hour dial. Further accentuating its distinctive character and in tribute to a modern design icon from the 1960s, the Cosmonaute Limited Edition is fitted exclusively with the rigid perforated Air Racer bracelet.

speedART Panamera

At rennlist.com, the american speedART-agent GMP Performance, has published drawings of their forthcoming PS9-650.

ARGH: Nardo shootout

This is better than...ehrm...you know... Auto, Motor und Sports highspeed-run at Nardo is essential reading (in german).

Or as they say:

Alle Jahre wieder wird das 12,5-Kilometer-Rund im süditalienischen Nardo zum Highspeed-Mekka. Dann bittet auto motor und sport die PS-Elite zum Wettkampf um Tempo und Zeit. Dieses Mal dabei: Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Audi R8 V10, Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed, Cadillac CTS-V, Ford GT, Lamborghini Murciélago SV, Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss und Porsche 911 GT3.

The full article is HERE

AVUS Nissan GT-R Black Edition

The Berlin in Germany-based tuner AVUS has readied this tasty beast. Matte black "folierung", height adjustable coilovers, adjusted engine management and new mufflers that gives 580 HP, 20-inch wheels painted black with spacers for wider track. Even the place where the pictures are taken, seems to be perfect for fun. You can visit AVUS and have a look at their other black monsters right HERE

Jaguar XKR GT2

Jaguar are getting closer to compete in the expensive GT2-class. This is their racingcar for the american series. This is what the pressrelease tells us:

BRASELTON, GA (September 24, 2009) – In preparation for a full championship effort in 2010, RSR has entered the Jaguar XKR GT2 in the American Le Mans Series’ famed event the Petit Le Mans with the intention to introduce the car and utilize the track time for testing and development. The Jaguar brand is launched into what everyone considers the deepest GT2 class in the history of the ALMS and will have to face off against the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Corvette, Viper, and Ford.



The GT2 class features production-based cars modified as allowed by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) rules. “There are very specific limitations. We use what we call in the industry, the Body-In-White. That is the basic skeletal structure, the sub-frames and frames from the original production car. We started our GT2 car with a real Jaguar XKR, this is not a panel built or fabricated car. We are using all of the aluminum skeletal structure of the car, the production doors, roof and deck lid.”

The body work features a design that is based on the Jaguar XKR and was completed in the Jaguar Advance Design Studio headed by chief designer Ian Callum. The body has undergone intensive computational fluid dynamics work, know as CFD, by the Jaguar aerodynamics department. Information from the CFD was then incorporated into the finished body work which was made in clay at the RSR facility. Over 1100 man hours were spent during the clay process. The carbon fiber composite body work was molded and produced by a local company in Michigan and conforms to the ACO guidelines.



RSR is working very closely with Bosch Motorsport to integrate their technologies for engine control and chassis data acquisition. The car will be equipped with a Bosch Motorsport ECU and data logger with color display, as well as Bosch spark plugs.Brembo six piston front calipers on 380 mm discs with four piston rear calipers on 350 mm discs have been installed and actuated by a Tilton floating master cylinder pedal assembly. A 5.5 inch Tilton metallic clutch will allow power to flow from the modified Jaguar AJ133 engine to a Hewland CST Transaxle.

A five time Trans-Am Series Champion, Gentilozzi will wear multiple hats for the team, as not only the owner but also one of the three drivers designated to run at the Petit Le Mans. He will be joined with sports car veterans American Scott Pruett and Belgian Marc Goossens. The Jaguar XKR GT2 will make its debut in the Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA6 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. The 1,000-mile, 10-hour spectacle is scheduled to start 11:15 a.m. EDT on September 26. Live coverage can be seen on SPEED beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Video: Fisker Karma

I have been aware of the fact, that this car might be something special. This video certainly strengthens the emotions. I even think it would be nice to have one.

Mansory Porsche 997 Carrera

Mansory Porsches are a result of a merger between the German tuner and the Swiss tuner Rinspeed. Here is their new carbon-997:

Modular spoiler pack allows various design possibilities
When developing the 911-programme, the Mansory engineers attached great importance to an individual design, but also aerodynamic efficiency. In order to save weight and guarantee highest quality standards, the body components are made of composite also, parts of the serial auto body are made of this resilient and inherently stable material. The core part of the body kit is a lift-reducing front mount in a sportive-dynamic look. In connection with the hood, the front apron offers various design possibilities. On the one hand, it forms the perfect symbiosis with the serial hood, as an especially designed inlay allows a seamless junction. And on the other hand, the apron can be combined with the Mansory carbon hood whose striking side beads demonstrate individuality and underline the sportive character of the modification. The rear apron is not less impressive: it accommodates the new four-pipe exhaust system and therefore renders a harmonic rear finish. The visual perfection of the aerodynamics pack is accomplished with the side skirts which also fulfil functional tasks. They significantly calm the air flow between both axles.




Sport air filter and amended exhaust system enhance the performance
The power engines also profit from the comprehensive changes of the 911 engine range. But here, the engineers do not perform any excessive open-heart surgery, but only replace existing parts by modified proprietary developments. A new sport air filter and a new exhaust system come into operation. Especially the exhaust system renders an optimised exhaust gas flow.
But the special highlight of the exhaust system is the integrated throttle system which - if desired - can also be operated by remote control and allows changing the sound scenery.




Light alloy rims and sport running gear in approved MANSORY quality
The refining specialist developed a forged wheel with an exclusive design which was tailor-made for Porsche requirements. The one-piece wheel with five double spokes measures 8.5 x 20 inches at the front and 12 x 20 inches the back. Not only its sportive look, but also its excellent manufacture makes it so impressive. The reduction of unsprung masses by the exceptional and elaborate production technology does not only lead to a shorter braking distance, but also improves the acceleration and the handling of the car. For best possible grip, Mansory uses Michelin Pilot Sport wheels sized 245/30 at the front and 325/25 at the rear. Moreover, the newly developed running gear which lowers the car´s centre of gravity by 30 millimetres also sets sportive accents.

Sexy Ferrari, uhhm Gran Turismo 5

The quality of games are amazing - as this trailer clearly shows. Cool music as well. Must have???

"Drop the gun" Audi R8

Nice one from Audi, not seen in my country, Norway.



Another one, playing with "The Godfather".

Fighter plane graphics

Remember that I showed you pics of an Porsche Cayman I saw in Frankfurt HERE. At the Frankfurt Show, Hamann showed up with their Lamborghini Victory in the same cool graphics. Click on the close up and wonder how detailed this is. Pics are borrowed from autogespot.com.

The next BMW 5-series

German Auto, Motor und Sport has taken a closer look at the next 5-series, and it looks absolutely promising. The full article in AMS is here.

Lorinser makes the SLS Gullwing

Lorinser has obviously has been thinking in the same direction as many others - isn´t the SLS a bit to modern, even soulless? Here is their breathtaking answer, two models that might be realized:

Lorinser presents two exciting SLS studies
IAA star already modified

The legendary 300 SL Gullwing has thrilled generations and consequently has a regular space in Lorinser's classic car collection. The designers of the Mercedes customer have now dedicated themselves to its successor, the SLS, which proved to be a show stopper at the IAA 2009 in just its series standard version.

The first Lorinser design of the exhibition star pays homage to the racing soul of the car, as the Gullwing was originally designed for motorsport with its numerous aluminium components. "If carbon fibres had been available then, the lightweight concept of the 300 SL would definitely have contained this material", says CEO Marcus Lorinser.

As a result one of the designs shows the aggressive coolness of carbon fibre, which in selected areas contrasts with the red paint of the aluminium bodywork and the components: for example a carbon fibre element intersects the middle of the grill, in which there isn't a Mercedes star, but the Lorinser family crest from the 15th century instead. A further stylistic element is provided by a spoiler bumper with a carbon insert, arch-shaped air inlet and double fog lights. The muscular sides, on the other hand, are partially shaped by the massive Lorinser side sills, which also adorn black inserts made of the fibre composite material. The air inlets which are drawn inwards and have black sports grills, gape over the sides onto the front fenders. The two chromed cross beams are thereby a homage to the 300 SL. The large wire spoke wheels cite a typical construction form from the 50s, although their design seems extremely modern. At the same time they are also the link to the second design.



The second design pays tribute to the facets of the 300 SL, which reveal it as a sophisticated road sports car with an elegant front spoiler and a more sober grill design. In this study Lorinser also used one-piece side sills with air inlets. With their stronger segmentation the gills on the fenders are orientated more directly to the prototype, than the first design which was dedicated to the motorsport heritage oft the Gullwing.

Whether there will be a small-batch production of either of the two studies - and where applicable the final design - has not yet been decided.

Chromecore: AC Schnitzer Z4

AC Schnitzer is a long term runner in the tuningbusiness. They normally do tasty mods and operate in the conservative range. This time I think they have "chromed up" the sporty Z4 a tad to much.
Anyway, here is what they say about the their powerful Z4:

The BMW Z4 as standard is far from under-powered. But as is well known, enthusiastic drivers can never have enough power. Sufficient reason then for AC Schnitzer to upgrade the Z4 3.5i Turbo to 286 km/h. With a power of 360 HP and an unladen weight of 1485 kg, the open-top roadster from BMW accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Even the most demanding driver will be delighted with this performance.
The driving experience is enhanced acoustically and visually by the stainless steel sports rear silencer and the chromed Racing tailpipe trims.
Equally sporting is the AC Schnitzer suspension variant in the Z4. Thanks to a new spring kit, the transverse acceleration appears to bypass the conventional laws of nature.
This impression is certainly partly supported by the aerodynamic components made of PU-Rim, a high quality flexible plastic. The aerodynamic pack for the new BMW Z4 consists of a chrome front grille and front spoiler, where both components combine to give a more muscular look to the long bonnet lines.
New sports fenders, consisting of wheel arches with integral air outlets for improved cooling of the front brakes and chromed deflectors, optimise the side lines of the roadster. Finally, the two-piece rear spoiler gives the rear of the BMW Z4 by AC Schnitzer an impressive look.

Wild child Wiesmann MF5 Roadster

I have driven several of Wiesmanns models with different engines, but not the V10. Hopefully this will change in the near future, but I am not sure. They are planning to build only 55 of these beasts, time will show.

Pressrelease (in German I´m afraid):

Mit seiner Spitzengeschwindigkeit von 310 km/h, einer Beschleunigung von 0 auf 100 in 3,9 Sekunden und dem Bauchkribbeln versprechenden Leistungsgewicht von 2,7 kg/PS ist der Wiesmann Roadster MF5 Stärke, Eleganz und Geschwindigkeit zugleich. Produziert in einer limitierten Stückzahl von nur 55 wird das exklusive Open-Air-Erlebnis nur Wenigen vorbehalten sein. Zu den weiteren technische Details gehören: 10 Zylinder V-Motor, 507 PS, 520 Nm Drehmoment, sequentielles 7-Gang SMG und ein ausfahrbarer Heckflügel.

Der Wiesmann Roadster MF5, erhältlich ab einem Grundpreis von 189.500 Euro, ist die aufregendste Kombination aus Leistungsstärke und offenem Fahrvergnügen, die die Manufaktur der Individualisten jemals gebaut hat.

Hamann Ferrari California

The German tuner Hamann has readied a California with new aerodynamics, including a hood of carbon. They are also preparing a powerkit, that will raise the figures from 460 HP to 525. This is done by new exhaust and reworked software. The wheels are 21 inch.

Quick SAAB

Even though SAABs future is a bit uncertain, their powermodels gives almost the same feeling as the 99 Turbo did back in the seventies. This is a seriously souped up Hirsch, based on the 9-3 XWD. Here from the pressrelease:

With the new Saab 9-3 Performance, Hirsch Performance, the Swiss refiner of Saab automobiles, presents a dynamic vehicle tailored to the driver. Not a mainstream product, but instead a vehicle for individualists with a passion for the extraordinary. Those who decide in favour of a Saab Performance can look forward to a driving experience in a class of its own.
The pioneering role of Saab in the field of engine rightsizing is demonstrated by the extremely efficient 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo engine: following the Hirsch Performance treatment, this engine delivers 270 HP (200 kW) and a maximum torque of 390 Newton metres. The self-levelling sports suspension in combination with the advanced Saab XWD four-wheel drive system guarantees an optimal and sporty driving experience.

The new Saab 9-3 Performance is another product of the many years of cooperation between Hirsch Performance and the European Saab distribution network.
0 - 100 km/h: 6,4 sec
0 - 60 mph: 6.3 sec
Top Speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
60 – 100 km/h in 4. Gear: 6,3 sec
80 – 120 km/h in 5. Gear: 7,9 sec

R-yourself. With Golf and Scirocco

Here you got the new power-VWs. The Golf R & Scirocco R.



From the pressrelase of the Golf:
While in the now retired Golf R32 (184 kW / 250 PS), 10.7 litres of fuel was processed by the injection system every 100 kilometres, on the new Golf R – thanks to a boosted high-tech TSI – the figure is just 8.5 litres, which is 2.2 litres or 21 percent less! The all-wheel drive Golf R (350 Newton-meter torque between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm) sprints to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds (Golf R DSG: 5.5 seconds) and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Two of the many identifying visual features of this exceptional Golf conceptualised by Volkswagen Individual: newly developed LED taillights and LED daytime running lights. The Golf R can be ordered in Germany starting at the end of this year.

Final version: Porsche Family Gathering

Last week the video "making of" Porsche Family Gathering showed up (watch it here), and now the finished movie for Porsche America is here. Try to withstand the urge for a Porsche after this one....

MB E 63 AMG Estate

This is Mercedes/AMGs own promostuff of their new superestate. No music, only seven minutes of pure, undistored pleasure.

Porsche: Live footage 997 Turbo and 911 Sport Classic

This video shows the new Turbo in a homely habitat at local roads - which gives a much better "in real life experience" of the car. The Sport Classic is just plain beautiful.

In the name of rareness: Lambo Reventón Spyder

Lamborghini wants to make it perfectly clear how rare these cars will be. This elite-oriented Lambo-video shows it all.