Showing posts with label Modified Cars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Modified Cars. Show all posts

Ford Mustang by Guigiaro

Ford Mustang by Guigiaro


Year (of specifications)     2006
Engine                                supercharged 4.6 L V8
Transmission     -
Max speed     -
0-60     -
Horsepower                        500 hp +
weight     -

For the 2006 LA Auto Show Italian design house Italdesign, led by Fabrizio Giugiaro (Giorgetto Giugairo's son - see Ferrari GG50 concept), decided to reinterpret the contemporary Ford Mustang.

In 2005 Guigiaro had approached J Mays, Ford Motor Company's group vice president, Design and chief creative officer, with the idea to create an American icon with Italian flair powered by Ford Racing products.

It took just 4 months to create an exterior model of the Guigiaro Mustang in the Turin, Italy, based studio.

The Ford Mustang by Giugiaro appears to be more compact than the standard production car, thanks to a reduction of the rear overhang and the signature Giugiaro style of tapering the angles on the car to the limit of its mechanical outlines.

The Giugiaro styled Mustang is 30 millimeters longer in the nose, and wider by a full 80 millimeters in the rear.

Ford Racing improved the Guigiaro Mustang's all-aluminum 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 engine by adding an intercooled twin-screw supercharger, fuel injectors from the Ford GT and a unique engine calibration. Engine air intake was increased with a larger 95 mm mass air meter and a conical air filter. Exhaust performance of the Guigiaro Mustang was enhanced with new Ford Racing mufflers and an X-pipe. The upgrades allow for an estimated 500 horsepower at a boost level of 11 psi from the Ford Racing supercharger.

To keep the Guigiaro Ford Mustang handling as good as it looks, the FR500C-inspired chassis tuning is accomplished with a tailored Ford Racing Handling Pack. This package, available through Ford Racing for the Mustang GT, adds new Dynamic-tuned dampers, lowering springs and anti-sway bars. The changes give the car a lower stance while sharpening handling response. The car rides approximately 1.5 inches lower than the production Mustang GT.

Features of the Ford Mustang Concept by Guigiaro:

• The interior – featuring a dramatic instrument panel that sweeps the width of the car; circular gauges that project from behind the sports steering wheel; dark brown horsehide-covered headrests with horse logo accents; and seat cushions and backrests elaborately upholstered in dark brown mottled horse hides.

• The single curved glass panel that bridges the windshield and rear window, serving as the concept's roof. Produced by Solutia of Detroit, the panel is made from a special type of crystal that filters out 100 percent of UVA rays while providing unfettered vista views.

• Doors hinged at the base of the upright A-pillar and open vertically at the touch of a button.

• Bespoke taillights, which are three separate elements as found on the 1964 Mustang – but reinterpreted into a more dramatic arrow shape that links to the louver panels that replace the rear side windows.

• The visible curl that sweeps into the crest of the concept's carbon fiber fenders, hinting at tail fins that defined American cars of the '50s.

• The sporting-but-elegant unique 20-inch rims, fitted with 275/40 tires on the front and larger 315/35 tires on the rear.

Merdad Porsche Cayenne 2 Door

Merdad Porsche Cayenne 2 Door


Year (of specifications)     2010
Engine                                 4.8 litre V8 Turbocharged
Transmission                      AWD
Max speed     -
0-60                                     4.4 seconds
Horsepower                        750 hp
weight     -

With the abrupt, and rather sinister demise of the Gemballa tuning firm early in 2010, there was all of a sudden a number of specialist sales reps and modified Porsche experts sitting around with very little to do. One of them, a man by the name of Merdad, who I had the pleasure of meeting at the 2006 Classic Car Show held at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, as he politely showed me around the Gemballa GTR 650 EVO Orange, decided not to go down to the local Job Centre, but instead start his own Porsche tuning outfit. And this is his first project.

The Merdad Porsche Cayenne 2 Door is being advertised as a coupe, which it isn't, but other than that the idea has sound reasoning behind it. The Cayenne's always been the ugly step-sister of the Porsche family. And cutting some of the fat off it by removing the second row of doors has gone a long way to making it more visually appealing. Sure it's less practical, but most people in the market for a custom-made, highly-tuned Porsche aren't going to care. The exterior body modifications, like the new front and rear bumpers and sideskirts are aggressive and noticeably different, but they're not too over-the-top as is the way with many Cayenne body 'upgrades'.

Power for the Merdad Porsche Cayenne 2 Door Coupe comes from a massaged version of the Cayenne Turbo's 4.8 litre unit. Power has been bumped up to a massive 750 horsepower.

Although there are no pictures to prove it, the company say that the interior of the Merdad Cayenne 2 door has been enhanced to compliment the exterior modifications.

Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo

Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo


Year (of specifications)     2010
Engine     3.0 litre, inline 6 cylinder, twin turbo
Transmission     6 speed automatic RWD
Max speed     186 mph
0-60     4.7 seconds
Horsepower     400 hp @ 6,000 rpm
weight     -


The BMW 335i-based Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo is not just your usual run-of-the-mill modified Bimmer. Alpina are in fact registered as an automobile manufacturer, and as such all their cars are registered and sold as Alpina's, not BMW's. Compared to cars from BMW's own performance division, BMW M, Alpina's vehicles have more emphasis on luxury, higher torque, and have automatic transmissions instead of manual or semi-automatic transmissions. Anyway enough company background information.

The Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo is powered by a 3.0 litre inline 6-cylinder engine which is boosted by two turbochargers. This engine produces 400 hp @ 6,000 rpm (that's nearly 100 hp up on the 335i), and a massive 540 Nm (398 lb ft) of torque @ 4,500 rpm. The 0-60 sprint is completed in just 4.7 seconds, and thanks to the removal of the electronic speed limiter, top speed is a supercar-like 186 mph.

The Alpina B3S Bi-Turbo is set apart by a redesigned front spoiler and a new rear diffuser which encloses the tailpipes, reducing lift and ensuring optimum engine cooling. The ALPINA Classic alloy wheels get the new design treatment seen on the latest B7.

Mansory Cyrus

Mansory Cyrus


Year (of specifications)     2009
Engine     6.0 litre V12
Transmission     6 speed manual RWD



If you have and unhealthy obsession with all things carbon fiber and a bank balance of obscene proportions, then the Mansory Cyrus should be top of your shopping list. And with only 15 scheduled for production, chances are the neighbors won't have one.

Mansory, a tuner based Brand, Germany basically take an unsuspecting Aston Martin DB9 - or a DBS if you prefer, and attach a comprehensive carbon fiber bodykit which either replaces or covers all the original bodywork. The "prepreg autoclav carbon" is left unpainted to show of the weave pattern of the carbon fiber. Up front the Cyrus gets a front bumper which emulates the design of the Aston Martin One-77 supercar. An enlarged grille and additional vents in the hood provide better airflow around the engine. Down the sides Mansory have developed their own sideskirts to compliment the wider wheel arches. At the rear they've fitted the Cyrus with a massive rear diffuser mounted neatly into the body. In the center of the diffuser is an enormous rectangular exhaust.

While all design relies on personal taste for success or failure, the styling of the Cyrus takes this to the next level. It's one of those vehicles which seems to evoke a love it or hate it response in people. However one element of the design which is unanimously ridiculed is the nonfunctional roof-scoop which looks like something out of a cheap auto parts catalog.

The 10 spoke lightweight forged wheels consist of 9x20 inch units up front and 10,5x21 inch rims at the rear. These are used in combination with Dunlop Sport Maxx tires measuring 255/30ZR20 at the front and 295/25ZR21 at the back.

The interior has also been modified with extensive use of carbon fiber - but in a far less tasteful manner. The center console, door handles, air vents, mirror housing, ash tray cover and sill plates are all made of the stuff. Adding to the tackiness are a pair of sports seats with an illuminated ''Mansory" logo set into the headrest. Mansory also offer the option of individual painting of "small parts" which basically means they'll ruin your interior in any color you specify.

Honda NSX Mugen RR

Honda NSX Mugen RR


The Honda NSX Mugen RR was a prototype model put on display at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Based on Honda's now discontinued NSX supercar, the NSX Mugen RR which went on show was essentially just a fancy bodykit as the vehicle lacked any drivetrain.

The brutally aggresive bodykit consists of an extensive makeover which results in a longer and wider car. The powerfull front and rear arches help cover the 18 inch, black-colored racing wheels.

Other modifications include a prominent roof mounted scoop directing air into the engine bay, a massive rear wing, upgraded brakes and an large rear diffuser with integrated tailpipes.

The interior of the Honda NSX Mugen RR features a dramatic red and black color scheme.
 

Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa

Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa

Year (of specifications)    :    2010
Engine   :     4.7 litre V8
Transmission     :    6 speed sequential RWD
Max speed         :     187 mph +
0-60    :    under 3.5 seconds
Horsepower      :    420 hp
weight   :    850 kg / 1,870 lbs


At the 2010 Villa D'Este Concours d'Elegance - an exclusive motor show held by the shores of lake Como in Italy - Zagato unveiled their latest one-off creation.

The Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione based TZ3 Corsa is a one-of-a-kind handmade supercar which features carbon fibre tubular chassis, coupled with a tubular frame and a lightweight aluminium body.

The Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa was commissioned by the Alfa Romeo Zagato collector Martin Kapp. Kapp owns, among his Alfa Romeo Collection: SZ coda tonda and SZ coda tronca, TZ
and TZ2, Junior Z and S.Z.. I'm guessing he's got a pretty nice house too.

The TZ3 Corsa is a race car not a road car. It was designed in part to celebrate 100 years of racing and technological achievements from Alfa Romeo, Zagato and Scuderia Ferrari.

Powering the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa is the 8c's 4.7 litre V8 mated to a 6 speed sequential transmission.

BMW M3 by GTHaus

BMW M3 by GTHaus


Transmission    :    RWD
Max speed     -
0-60    :    4.6 seconds
Horsepower     :    414 hp @ 8,300 rpm
weight     -

 Despite the distinctly Germanic sounding name of the company, GTHaus is in fact based in Illinois, USA. The company acts as a distributor for a number of European performance exhaust specialists including; Meisterschaft, Floßmann, Arden, and Kreissieg.

However GTHaus has now decided to enter into the world of body kits and tuning. This is their first offering, a $12,500 (£8,500) GT2 racecar-like widebody conversion for the E92 M3 Coupe. And no it won't make you go any faster as they haven't developed any performance upgrades for the engine yet. In fact if you were to throw this onto a standard M3 all that would happen is that you'd increase drag and go slower. At the same time you'd torpedo the fuel economy.

That said, as far as ridiculously wide bodykits go this isn't too bad. It looks more like a track-derived aerodynamic package, instead of a tuner bodykit which just has vents and oddly positioned bulges for no reason. Also in its favor is the fact the panels aren't heavy weight fiberglass, they're formed from that most excellent of materials, carbon fiber.

To match the new bodywork GTHaus have fitted the car with oversize 20 inch wheels (which will actually be detrimental to the handling), Brembo brakes, and a sports exhaust system designed to offer a racing note.

Raeder Audi TT RS

Raeder Audi TT RS


Year (of specifications)  :   2010
Engine    :  5 cylinder Turbocharged diesel
Transmission   :   sequential AWD
Max speed  :    -
0-60   :  -
Horsepower    :  -
weight     : -

 The Raeder Audi TT RS is a specially built and dedicated race car prototype which was built by the German company Raeder Motorsport.

In 2010 the car will be competing in the last two races of the Endurance Championship Nurburgring on the 16th and 30th of October.

The car, which was developed jointly by the Technical Development (TE) and the production of Audi AG and quattro GmbH, represents the first prototype of a potential track-only and modular TT RS race car which will be offered to the public - well race teams anyway.

The Raeder Audi TT RS features a five-cylinder turbocharged engine which runs on diesel. It has other upgrades for the bodywork - in the form of a massive wide-arch bodykit. The chassis as been stiffened and fitted with a fully integrated roll cage. And the aerodynamics have been improved thanks to numerous vents, diffusers and spoilers to keep it firmly stuck to the track.

Below is the Raeder press release translated from German.

While the DTM starts in Hockenheim, at the same time, initiated with the Audi R8 LMS customer sport program of AUDI AG receives may increase: the case of the last two rounds of the Endurance Championship Nürburgring 16th and 30 October starts the team bikes racing in the class SP 4T with the prototype of an Audi TT RS, which is being developed jointly by the Technical Development (TE) and the production of Audi AG and quattro GmbH. During test operations, the vehicle that represents the spearhead of a potential customer sport modular approach to TT base, piloted by Marc Hennerici and Christopher Mies. Audi is responding to the high demand of customers, the TT and other brand vehicles used in motor sport can be.

The prototype has a five-cylinder TDI engine. It has race-specific new developments in the areas of body, chassis and aerodynamics. Also could take over the project team in the sense of maximum synergy, some parts of the R8 LMS.