New Audi A4 and A3 Convertible models Tuning

Yet another tuner is taking a swing at the new Audi A4 and A3 Convertible models. This time its O.CT Tuning that has released new performance kits for the A4 2.0 TDI with 120HP and 143HP as well as for the A3 Convertible 1.8 TFSI. For the diesel powered A4s, a reprogrammed ECU boosts output of both variants of the 2.0 TDI to 168HP and 375Nm or 277 lb-ft of peak torque. According to O.CT, the 168HP A42.0 TDI accelerates from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 8,0 seconds versus the 143HP stock model's 9,4 sec.

Furthermore, the Austrian tuning house claims that while the standard A4 2.0 TDI needs a distance of 1,600 meters (about a mile) to reach a speed of 180 km/h or 112mph, O.CTs version hits the mark after 1,100 meters or 0,7 miles.

Similary for the A3 Convertible, , O.CT Tuning's upgraded ECU adds an extra 45HP to the 1.8 TFSI 160HP engine for a total output of 205HP that helps the car accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 7,3 seconds, or around 1 second faster than the standard model.

Even though O.CT Tuning concentrated on the A4 and A3 Convertible models, apparently the software upgrades apply on any models with the same engines.

Rolls Royce Ghost Premieres at the Concorso d'Eleganza

The recently baptized Rolls Royce Ghost made its debut at the Concorso d'Eleganza gathering at Lake Como, Italy. The above photo comes courtesy of the folks over at German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport that claim in their article that is the 'series version' of the 200EX concept. From our part, aside from the never before seen exterior color, we couldn't spot any differences between the 200EX and the Ghost. Then again, the Geneva Show 200EX concept wasn't much of a concept so go figure.



In any case, Rolls Royce's new "entry-level" luxury sedan that features a new 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 engine sending over 507 horsepower to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission will go on sale in the beginning of 2010.

Via: AMS

Special Edition Mercedes A Class: Limited to 5,500 Units

Since Mercedes has nothing truly new to offer on its A-Class subcompact hatch, the German automaker decided to make a special edition version that comes equipped with an array of -yep, you guessed it- special features and extra equipment. On the outside, the A-Class "Special Edition 2009" is characterized by the black radiator louvres, 16-inch titanium silver light-alloy wheels in a new 9-spoke design shod in tires 195/55 R16 and a "Special Edition" badge on the mirror triangle.


Inside, passengers will be greeted by a two-tone color scheme in black and grey, velour floor mats with grey edging and an embroidered Edition label, leather covered multifunction steering wheel, shift/selector lever and parking brake handle and an upgraded audio system with CD player and Bluetooth hands-free.


The special edition version also comes equipped with a Light and Sight package that includes rain sensor, automatically dimming rear-view mirror, an illuminated vanity mirror in the sun visor, separately adjustable reading lights in the rear, a reading light for the driver and illuminated front footwells.


Production of the new A-Class Special Edition 2009 will be limited to 5,500 units.

MINI Clubman :First Official Photos

First glance,at this MINI Clubman i was smiling.It was a specially modified MINI Cooper S Clubman and a 6.80-meter or 22-foot Airstream trailer!
These are the first official photos of a one-off concept of a specially modified MINI Cooper S Clubman and a 6.80-meter or 22-foot Airstream trailer that was created in collaboration with Danish furniture producers, Republic of Fritz Hansen. The design study will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the INTERNI Design Energies exhibition that takes place in Milan on 22 – 27 April 2009.


The concept behind the project is the creation of a mobile base for surfers and beachgoers alike. As such, the designers of Republic of Fritz Hansen kitted out both the American travel trailer and the MINI Clubman with unique features.

Design details include the use of what MINI describes as "surfer-dude wetsuit" neoprene, fresh colors and flower prints which are common on both the Clubman and the Aistream trailer.
The trailer comes with a waterproof interior that is outfitted with numerous chairs, a table and even two surfboards halves, which double up as shelving. A special feature of the trailer is that it fully opens on one side revealing a built-in sun-bathing bed.

In the Clubman, the designers of the Copenhagen-based Republic of Fritz Hansen removed the rear seat bench and stripped out the boot to fit four specially made securing shells with purpose-built mounts that can accommodate diving gear equipment, including flippers, a mask, wetsuit and oxygen tanks.

MINI Clubman :First Official Photos

First glance,at this MINI Clubman i was smiling.It was a specially modified MINI Cooper S Clubman and a 6.80-meter or 22-foot Airstream trailer!
These are the first official photos of a one-off concept of a specially modified MINI Cooper S Clubman and a 6.80-meter or 22-foot Airstream trailer that was created in collaboration with Danish furniture producers, Republic of Fritz Hansen. The design study will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the INTERNI Design Energies exhibition that takes place in Milan on 22 – 27 April 2009.


The concept behind the project is the creation of a mobile base for surfers and beachgoers alike. As such, the designers of Republic of Fritz Hansen kitted out both the American travel trailer and the MINI Clubman with unique features.

Design details include the use of what MINI describes as "surfer-dude wetsuit" neoprene, fresh colors and flower prints which are common on both the Clubman and the Aistream trailer.
The trailer comes with a waterproof interior that is outfitted with numerous chairs, a table and even two surfboards halves, which double up as shelving. A special feature of the trailer is that it fully opens on one side revealing a built-in sun-bathing bed.

In the Clubman, the designers of the Copenhagen-based Republic of Fritz Hansen removed the rear seat bench and stripped out the boot to fit four specially made securing shells with purpose-built mounts that can accommodate diving gear equipment, including flippers, a mask, wetsuit and oxygen tanks.

2011 Porsche 911 Carrera: Next Generation Model Spied

Not that Porsche really needs to camouflage its next generation 911 as even non-Porschephiles are aware of the fact that every 911 stylistically resembles the previous, sometimes even an earlier model. However, it would be unfair to support that nothing has changed on the new 911 that is internally called the 998. Scheduled to arrive in late 2011, Porsche's new bread-and-butter model will wear the 'same-old' 911 suit refreshed with styling cues from the new Panamera sport sedan, mainly in what concerns the front-end design.


Other than that, these latest spy shots of an early prototype model show that the new 911 sports a lower roofline and a visibly wider rear track, while it also appears that the car has slightly grown in length. The heavily camouflaged rear-end that carefully hides the pop-up wing spoiler leaves a lot to the imagination.

What is clearly visible is the discreet roof spoiler mounted above the rear window that belongs to an extensive aero package that is said to significantly improve the 911's aerodynamics on the move.

We don't know all the details, but it is rumored that the package will also include an active front lip spoiler, variable front air intake(s) while some suggest that Porsche will go even as far as replacing the door mirrors with video cameras. As for the side air-vents seen in the prototype model, we're not quite sure of what to make of them as there is a strong possibility that they are fake.

Despite the fact that Porsche recently updated the current 911's six-cylinder boxer engines in the vehicle's latest facelift in 2008, expect to see some improvements in terms of performance as well as in fuel consumption and emissions. That said, the naturally-aspirated flat-six in the basic Carrera and Carrera S models could produce around 360 and 400 horsepower respectively.



Depending on the version, power will channeled to the rear-wheels or to all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox or the optional seven-speed double clutch PDK gearbox which may receive some minor tweaks by then.

The first 911 models to hit the market will be the Carrera and Carrera S coupes in late 2011 followed shortly after by the convertible and targa models, and later on, the Turbo, GT2 and GT3 variants.