Alfa Romeo Sport Cars Autodelta Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

The Performance Car Show that will take place in Birmingham, UK, 14-17 January 2010, Autodelta will unveil the world’s first tuned Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Alfa Romeo’s awesome Alfa 8C Competizione supercar has scooped the award for Best Design of the Year in Auto Express’s 2008 New Car Honours.

The announcement came after more than 4000 Auto Express readers voted in the category, putting the Italian 4.7 V8 head and shoulders above its rivals.  Auto Express’s judging panel agreed with their verdict.

Editor of Auto Express, David Johns, said: “Choosing the best designed cars of the year is never easy, so we turned to the experts for help – Auto Express readers.  Only one car was ever going to win – Alfa Romeo’s  Sport Cars 8C Competizione simply blew the opposition away.”

Alfa Romeo Sport Cars Autodelta Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione 

Marketing Director of Alfa Romeo UK, Nicholas Bernard, added: “It’s fabulous to know that this supercar has stirred the emotions and unified car fans across the UK.  It is the epitome of the Alfa Romeo Sport Cars marque and will provide the design inspiration for future models.”

The 4.7-liter V8 engine in the car masterpiece is obviously a slightly higher performance using a new engine management software. The engine develops 444 hp at its plant stock and Autodelta incarnation promises to 17 more to offer. Technical refinements to the chassis of the car and the suspension was also promised, but no further details were released by the company.

Few details are known at this point, but a remapped ECU should squeeze out a modest 17 horsepower boost from the stock 444-hp, 4.7-liter Ferrari-developed V8. Alfa Romeo Sport Cars Autodelta Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is also working on fine-tuning the chassis, taking their 8C around some of the finest tracks in Europe to get it just right.

Alfa Romeo Sport Cars Autodelta Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Autodelta also announced that they are working on chassis and suspension upgrades that will be presented at a later date.

Honda Europe Confirms Production of Civic Type R Mugen 240HP, 20 Examples Priced at £38,599 - $64,000

Honda Europe Confirms Production of Civic Type R Mugen 240HP, 20 Examples Priced at £38,599 - $64,000

As anticipated, Honda has given the green light for a limited production run of the Civic Type R Mugen hot hatch that was first revealed as a prototype model earlier this summer. Only 20 cars will be hand-built in the UK by Mugen's European division with prices set at £38,599 OTR, which comes to about $64,000 or €42,900 at the current exchange rates. Honda did not say whether all examples will be right-hand drive or if it will produce some left hand drive vehicles.

"Each Type R MUGEN will be an exclusive, hand-built race car for the road," said Hiroki Toyoda, Vice President of MUGEN EURO. "When we launched the Civic Type RR saloon in Japan, we sold out of all 300 units in just six minutes. Given the interest we have already had from car enthusiasts in the UK and abroad, we hope to repeat that achievement."

The hottest Type R hatch is based on the series production model but benefits from an array of upgrades. Mugen has thoroughly reworked the Type R's 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine with a modified intake system, new pistons, a reprogrammed ECU and a custom stainless steel exhaust system and airbox.

The result is a 20 percent power increase from 200HP to 240HP at a screaming 8,300 rpm (300 revolutions more than the stock engine) and a 10 percent boost in torque throughout the rev range. The four-cylinder engine's peak torque is up, from 142 lb-ft at 5,600rpm to 157 lb-ft at 6,250rpm.

Honda estimates that the Mugen Civic Type R will accelerate from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 6.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 150mph or 241 km/h.

The extra grunt of the tuned engine is transferred to road through a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited slip differential, while grip and handling are claimed to be significantly improved through a completely revised suspension set-up, with custom-made springs and dampers.

Stopping power comes courtesy of bespoke four-piston mono-block racing brake callipers that sit under high-density, lightweight forged alloy wheels. According to the maker, these weigh just 7.85kg (17.3 lbs) each or 32 per cent less than the production wheel.

The Mugen-prepped hardcore Civic Type R also features an aerodynamic kit comprising of a large wing at the back of the car that promises to increase downforce at high-speeds, new front and rear skirts made out of composite materials. A new grille and the large twin tail pipes complete the exterior package while all cars will be painted in Honda's Championship White – the traditional racing colour of the brand.

Furthermore, buyers can opt for a 'Track Pack' that includes front Recaro bucket seats, removal of the rear seat bench with a composite blanking panel fitted to reduce weight, water and oil temperature/pressure gauges, data recording equipment, and a set of track-ready road-legal tires.

SEMA '09: Mopar Jeep Wrangler Lower Forty "BigFoot" with Massive 40-inch Tires and HEMI V8

SEMA '09: Mopar Jeep Wrangler Lower Forty "BigFoot" with Massive 40-inch Tires and HEMI V8

Taking the latest generation Jeep Wrangler to a new extreme, Mopar has designed the uber-impressive "Lower Forty" concept for this year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The crazy Wrangler Lower Forty rides on massive 40 x 13.5-inch tires mounted on Mopar's 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels while power comes from a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine coupled to a Getrag 238 six-speed manual gearbox. The Mopar-supplied Dana 44 front axle and a Dana 60 rear axle, fitted with 5.38 gears and ARB air lockers complete the mechanical upgrades.

In order to fit the massive wheels on the Wrangler Rubicon without using a suspension air lift, Mopar's team created custom front and rear fender flares that are 1-inch wider and are located 4 inches higher than on the stock model.

Other exterior modifications include the chopped windshield frame that gets a 10-degree rake, a one-piece carbon-fiber hood with a Jeep CJ-like power dome and an all-new drop-down tailgate stamped with the "Jeep" logo.

The Lower Forty also gets a roll cage that is tied directly into the frame rails, a color-matched center console and instrument panel and two-tone Katzkin leather seats while the carpet has been replaced with spray-in truck-bed liner.

Lumma Design Strikes Again with Uber-Aggressive Porsche Panamera CLR 700GT

Lumma Design Strikes Again with Uber-Aggressive Porsche Panamera CLR 700GT

If there's one tuning firm you that you can trust with your eyes closed that it will create a wild proposal out of any kind of vehicle it gets its hands on, that has to be Lumma Design. And sure enough, the German company doesn't disappoint its fans with its new, Porsche Panamera-based CLR 700GT sports saloon.

These first photos - or computer enhanced pictures, we're not entirely sure, show that Lumma Design has gifted the Panamera sports sedan with an ultra-aggressive wide body kit that includes a modified hood with air outlets, restyled bumpers, a rear diffuser that incorporates quad tail pipes and a large rear wing.

The chunky fender extensions that house the 22-inch alloy wheels finished in black with silver rims along with the new side skirts round off the cosmetic upgrades. Furthermore, the sport sedan's ride height has been lowered by a significant 35mm.

We're not aware of the mechanical upgrades yet, but if the tuning company's work on other Porsche models is any indication, the CLR 700GT will boast more than enough power under the bonnet.

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Lumma Design

Infiniti FX50 S Dressed Up in Styling Package by Brabus' CRD Division

Infiniti FX50 S Dressed Up in Styling Package by Brabus' CRD Division

Here's a proposal from this year's Frankfurt Show that somehow managed to escape our radar. Supposedly a concept study, the Infiniti FX50 S Limited Edition was created by Car Research and Development or CRD for short, a subsidiary of the Brabus Group that works directly with automakers and their national importers. Among other cars, CRD was responsible (...) for the creation of the Dodge Avenger-based Startech Starster that appeared at the 2007 Frankfurt Show.

The Infiniti FX50 S Limited Edition show car gets a set of bespoke 21-inch turbine-design light-alloy wheels in a grey finish, while the front grille, side air inlets in the front fenders and the roof bars are also painted grey.

The luxury SUV's cabin is upholstered in high-quality leather with contrasting light brown stitching while the carbon-fiber trim in a dark brown finish and the alcantara trim on the headliner and pillars round off the interior upgrades.

And yes, we too are wondering why Brabus / CRD even bothered to call this creation a concept study...

Audi Blinds the Frankfurt Crowds with Mirror Finish R8 5.2 FSI V10

Audi Blinds the Frankfurt Crowds with Mirror Finish R8 5.2 FSI V10

Together with the supercharged S5 Sportback, the stunning R8 Spyder, the A3 1.2 TSI, the A4 3.0 TDI and the futuristic e-Tron Electric sports car concept, Audi also showcased a blindingly shiny R8 5.2 FSI V10 coupe in a chrome finish - you know, of the same sort that we make fun of when we see parked outside ritzy hotels in Dubai... There's nothing official on the car by Audi but we gather that it will probably provide the inspiration for a custom made job.