Obligatory Between Bad News Car-Related Post: New BMW 1-Series Aftermarket Tail Light
By Robert FaragoDecember 3, 2008 -
Posted in News Blog | Tuners | 20 comments 
A Schnitzer for Your Schnauzers
By Robert FaragoNovember 19, 2008 -
Posted in Germany | New Cars | News Blog | Tuners | 12 comments
The Now-Obligatory Between Bailout Posts More Car-Related Post: New Eibach Springs!
By Robert FaragoNovember 17, 2008 -
“Be it a famous Hollywood actor or pop star: anyone who is in the spotlight has to keep an eye on their fitness. Eibach have sent the latest VI version of the 26-time ‘millionaire’ VW Golf - one of the best selling cars of all times - to the gym: here, if desired, the Pro-Kit Performance Springs or the slightly ’shorter’ Sportline Sport Springs can lower the centre of gravity of the car.”
Posted in News Blog | Tuners | 7 comments
New Teaser Video for BMWPerformance 3-Series
By Robert FaragoNovember 12, 2008 -
Posted in New Cars | News Blog | Tuners | 6 comments
Ready for Red Nose Day
By Robert FaragoOctober 27, 2008 -
Posted in News Blog | Tuners | Whiskey Tango Foxtrot | 5 comments
Yeah, That’s Better
By Robert FaragoOctober 23, 2008 -
Posted in News Blog | Tuners | 15 comments
Question of the Day: How Much Tuning is Too Much Tuning?
By Mike SolowiowAugust 28, 2008 -
Warning: you might want to turn down your volume when that Audi TT with a new turbo upgrade hits full boost. The last time I heard a whine like that was when the Pratt & Whitney engines on my jet spooled-up, developing 21k lbs of thrust apiece; and it only does 0 - 60 mph in about 15 seconds (and then 60 - 250 mph in another 15). Which brings me to my question. I've seen many a car "tuned" beyond belief, many with ridiculous body kits to emphasize the fact. How much tuning on a car it too much? When does the tuning destroy the car's original character and turn it into a peaky, unreliable mess? I like it when people modify cars, especially when it builds upon the car's strengths and tones down its weakness (like the above Audi). But looking around me on Friday nights, sometimes I think it gets a bit extreme. What say you?
Posted in Gizmology | News Blog | Question of the Day | Tuners | 27 comments
Brabus R230: Yes We Are Trying to Kill You
By Justin BerkowitzMay 1, 2008 -
Brabus is the German uber-tuner that's made its name taking oversized engines from AMG Benzes and wedging them into smaller, lower-down-the-line models. It's also known for keeping the dark Satanic mills in situ and making them even bigger. And so comes word that the new mega-motored 2008 Brabus SL will be called the R230. Hang on; wasn't there a Benz by that name? And didn't Brabus tune it? You guys really are the Best and Brightest! Anyway, this nose-heavy monster sports (in the ironic sense) a custom turbocharged 6.3-liter V12. Ready? It's got 730 horsepower and 811 ft.-lbs.of torque. Thanks to the five-speed automatic transmission, the industry standard sprint from rest to 60 mph will only occupy four seconds of your valuable (if you can afford this) time. Hey! You just might outrun a stock Corvette! Okay, that was cruel. But true. Also true: AMG will soon offer an SL Black Series with 700-something horsepower AND a factory warranty. And then Brabus will tune that. Madness.
Posted in News Blog | Overseas | Tuners | 15 comments
Suzuki SX4t Concept
By Jonny LiebermanApril 23, 2008 -
If you know me, you know I like Suzuki's SX4. A lot. In fact I'm making my girlfriend cross shop the SX4 for when her dying Focus finally gives up the ghost. But what about me? No, I wouldn't buy an SX4 because I'm a leadfoot. But what if Suzuki and Road Race Motorsports got together and slapped a turbo kit on the SX4, boosting power from 143 hp to 221 hp and torque from 136 lb-ft to 208 lb-ft? Where do I sign up? We're talking about the new SX4t Concept (the "t" stands for Turbo) and along with much more grunt they're throwing in sport springs, 17" Rota wheels, a carbon fiber hood and a decidedly oddball-looking paint job. They also yanked off the roof rack. Inside you get drilled pedals, sports seats and a proper wheel. For anyone tsk-tsking the fact that a WRX wagon has more power than this amped-up tuner, please remember that the WRX tips the scales at 3,252 lbs, whereas the SX4 is just 2,800 lbs. Expect the kit to add $5,400 to the SX4's price, bringing the total to $21,000. That's still less than a MazdaSpeed3 and you get standard AWD. Once again, where do I sign up?
Posted in Future Vehicles | News Blog | Tuners | 16 comments
Hennessey To Tune Nissan GTR, Lexus IS-F
By Jonny LiebermanApril 14, 2008 -
I've always greatly admired Hennessey. Any tuner that even thinks about boring-out a 500hp Dodge Viper mill to 9.5 liters gets my respect. And one that straps a brace of turbos on the result– boosting horsepower from a "mere" 800 to a Veyron-beating 1200–gets what Sajeev insists on calling mad props. According to Motor Authority, the Texas-based tuner is now turning its tuning talents towards Japanese metal. Specifically, the two hottest cars to come from the Land of the Rising Sun: the Lexus IS-F and Nissan's world-beating GT-R. While I have a slightly different opinion of the IS-F than Mr. McCombs (I friggin' love it), I think we can both agree that the last thing the lunatic Lexus needs is more power. So naturally Hennessey is going to bolt on a supercharger and fit the beast with headers, exhaust and a new intake. No word on the power, but you can bet it will be, "adequate." And by adequate I mean seven kinds of bonkers. Look for it later this year. As for Godzilla, it won't show up until 2009. I'm thinking the sky [line] will be the limit. Either that, or there won't be any limit whatsoever. The No Limits GT-R. Sign me up.
Posted in Future Vehicles | News Blog | Tuners | 11 comments
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