Hyundai VIP Luxury Tuner Azera by Street Concepts

A long-time Hyundai tuner, Shawn Williams from Street Concepts, delivered a sophisticated, bespoke Azera sedan. His team took Hyundai�s flagship and turned it into the �VIP Luxury Tuner.� The Azera�s custom white pearl paint and black suede seats with white stitching create a sporty look to match the Eibach suspension, MagnaFlow catback exhaust, K&N intake and Brembo brakes.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it will bring TDI clean diesel technology to select North American race tracks starting in May 2008. The Jetta TDI Cup series will be sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing Inc., and will appear at up to eight major racing venues in North America during 2008.

�The Jetta TDI Cup racing series will celebrate Volkswagen�s diesel technology and heritage in motorsports as good, clean fun,� said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. �Not only will the young drivers gain real-life track experience in a factory-prepared race vehicle, it will allow them to develop their own mindset of today�s clean diesel technology, and foster increased awareness of its advantages in this new era of environmental sensitivity.�

The Jetta TDI Cup shifts gears from the previously announced GTI program, allowing Volkswagen to showcase the power and performance of its new clean diesel technology, available in the upcoming 2009 Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen. With up to 30 Jetta TDI�s competing in the hands of aspiring, young drivers, this unique motorsport offering will highlight a new, exciting platform of racing that does not currently exist � a full field of clean diesel powered vehicles.

�With the Jetta TDI Cup, Volkswagen has created an amazing platform to develop young drivers and expand their knowledge about clean and quiet diesel technology,� said Robert Wildberger, president and CEO, SCCA Pro Racing, Inc. �We look forward to the series in hopes that it will attract more attention to the drivers and advantages of diesel power.�

The Jetta TDI Cup racecars will be optimized for track performance and safety. To focus on the skill of the young drivers and to ensure performance parity, proper maintenance and safety standards, all vehicles will be owned and maintained by Volkswagen. The heart of the Jetta TDI Cup racing vehicle will be the all-new, high-tech 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine rated at 170 horsepower and nearly 300 ft.-lbs. of torque in racing trim. The Jetta TDI race vehicles will be outfitted with a six-speed automatic DSG� transmission, electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering system, and advanced multi-link fully independent race-tuned suspension, driver airbag supplemental restraint system, and four-wheel ABS racing brakes.

Signifying Volkswagen�s environmental commitment, the Jetta TDI Cup series will be certified.

Hyundai Veracruz Urban Escape

Troy Lee Designs, known for its custom-design racing helmets, sports equipment and apparel, is "responsible" for this modified Veracruz called the Hyundai Veracruz High-Tech Urban Escape Vehicle. Through the Hyundai Veracruz Urban Escape the all-new Veracruz, launched earlier this year, has been critically acclaimed for boldly challenging the Lexus RX350 in quality and performance.

The Hyundai Veracruz High-Tech Urban Escape Vehicle showcases the full potential of this vehicle�s platform in the hands of an enthusiastic tuner shop. The skilled painters applied a classic Troy Lee Designs paint scheme with Momo FXL1 wheels that pair beautifully with the 265/50-20 Nitto 420 tires.

Mechanically, the Hyundai Veracruz Urban Escape was modified with Eibach springs and received a beefed-up Willwood oversized brake system.

Luxury and comfort are the cornerstones of the Hyundai Veracruz Urban Escape, which features custom leather seats, painted interior moldings and trim pieces and custom floor mats by Intro-Tech automotive. Troy Lee wrapped the package with an Infinity premium audio/video system and topped it with a Thule cargo box.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen at SEMA

Powered by the 2.0L Clean Diesel TDI, delivering 140 horsepower and 235 ft.-lbs. of torque, the new Jetta SportWagen does not conform to old station wagon stereotypes.

Using readily available body components and finished in custom paint and graphics, this Jetta TDI SportWagen demonstrates what can be done to personalize a Jetta. To reinforce the sportin this wagon, the Jetta�s underpinnings were upgraded by H&R Springs to lower its ride height, and make its handling razor sharp.

The Jetta TDI SportWagen remains firmly planted with 19 inch Sportec Wheels and Yokohama Tires wrapped around an upgraded Brembo brake kit, providing high performance stopping power. Hella provides up-level lighting components that add a unique flair to the styling.

Arden Jaguar XKR AJ20

The Arden Jaguar XKR AJ20 has a re-built engine that has received an increase in displacement.

The displacement increase in Arden Jaguar XKR AJ20's engine was made possible by fitting a new crankshaft along with new con rods and pistons. The Arden Jaguar XKR AJ20 has now a 4.5 liter engine. The Arden XKR AJ20 develops 480 bhp / 353 kW and 640 Nm of torque at 3.850 rpm from its supercharged 4.5 l V8 engine.

The Arden XKR AJ20 has various aerodynamic improvements that also give it a more sporty look. The aerodynamics of the Arden XKR AJ20 were tested and optimised in the wind tunnel with the effect of a better air drag.

All New Toyota Sequoia to Debut in LA

Toyota have officially announced the second generation Toyota Sequoia will debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in a couple of weeks time. There are no officially photos yet, so we have to make do with a spy shot taken earlier this year.

The Sequoia is expected to be powered the same 4.7-liter and 5.7-liter V8 engines that can be found in the new Tundra and will be more spacious than the current model.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2008 Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) and also make a major announcement regarding Toyota's fuel cell
development program at a press conference at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The completely redesigned 2008 Sequoia will be more spacious with a higher level of passenger comfort. It also will be substantially more powerful and yet, significantly more fuel efficient.

Mitsubishi Double Shotz Hot Wheels Concept

Toy manufacturer Mattel has announced that Mitsubishi Motors Research and Design of America (MRDA) employee Gary Ragle is among seven designer finalists to be selected in the company's first-ever Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge. MRDA was among six automotive manufacturers to participate in the challenge, which marked the first time Hot Wheels has turned outside the company to seek new vehicle designs.

Created to represent the ultimate Mitsubishi vehicle and the spirit of the brand's future, the sleek design of Ragle's Mitsubishi Double Shotz celebrates the 4G63 engine and the Lancer Evolution. "The design takes the concept of the Lancer Evolution to the next level and ties it in with the enjoyment and imagination of the Hot Wheels� brand," said Ragle.

After being selected by a panel of judges that included editors from the Los Angeles Times, Car and Driver, and Men's Journal, along with Hot Wheels designers and executives, the designs were unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas on October 30th, 2007. The Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge product line will be available in stores in the spring of 2008.

SEMA: 50 Cent�s Customized 500 Hp Pontiac G8

With lyrics that don�t pull punches and themes that are brutally honest, rapper 50 Cent (a.k.a. Curtis Jackson) has risen to the top of the hip hop scene. He�s also a passionate car enthusiast with a penchant for Pontiacs � his video for the song �Amusement Park� featured the G6 GXP and G8 concept cars.




Now, 50 Cent has teamed up with Pontiac and New York-based tuner to the stars, Will Castro, and his shop, Unique Autosports (the same shop featured on the television show �Unique Whips�), to build a one-of-a-kind G8 performance sedan. It debuted at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.


�Partnering with Pontiac has given me the opportunity to create something truly unique � a customized performance vehicle I am really proud of,� said 50. �The G8 is like none other and it pushes the boundaries of what people think a car has to be.�

The new G8 � which goes on sale nationally in early 2008 � is totally customized, with custom paint and exterior appointments, as well as a re-trimmed interior outfitted with an audio system that shakes the ground as much as 50 Cent�s three albums shook up the charts. The car is powered by an LSX 427 engine dyno-tested to more than 500 horsepower and assembled only with components available from the GM Performance Parts catalog or GM Parts.

Rockin� the spot

The LSX 427 engine uses GM Performance Parts� affordable, durable LSX cylinder block as its foundation. The engine assembly was filled out with a variety of production-based components used on the Corvette Z06�s 7.0L LS7 engine, including a forged steel crankshaft, lightweight titanium connecting rods, racing-derived aluminum cylinder heads and a complete LS7 intake/throttle body/fuel injection system. Engine operation is handled with GM Performance Parts� new stand-alone LS7 crate engine controller.

Detroit-area Thomson Automotive oversaw the assembly, dyno testing and installation of the engine. From there, the car was shipped to Unique Autosports, on New York�s Long Island, for the rest of its transformation, which included:

* An all-new Spies Hecker Torch Red exterior paint job accented with a bold Ebony graphic that mimics the shape of Pontiac�s �dart� insignia; the graphic runs over the top of the car, starting at a point on the front fascia
* Twenty-two-inch chrome wheels from NC Forged that have a deep-dish, seven-spoke design
* Low-profile Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires
* Dark-tinted taillamps
* Tinted glass with Llumar film
* Custom �50 Cent Unique Autosports Edition� exterior badging
* Borla stainless steel exhaust system

�The most interesting aspect of the project is what we didn�t do to the exterior,� said Will Castro. �We didn�t add a body kit, spoilers or lower the car. The G8 has the right stance and appearance, so we only accented the original form with details that made it unique to 50 Cent.�

Inside, the G8�s black, leather-covered seats were re-trimmed with perforated red leather inserts � with similar trim used on the armrests. The 50 Cent/Unique Autosports logo was embroidered into the seat headrests and custom floor mats. The finishing touch for the G8 is an 800-watt JBL audio system, with complementing amps and a subwoofer.

�A first-class audio system was a must for 50 Cent, and this one rocks the spot,� said Castro. �In fact, the G8 itself just-plain rocks and makes a great platform to build a custom, high-performance street car.�




Related entries:

Pontiac G8 Wagon and Sport Truck Planned

SEMA preview: Hyundai Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept

Hyundai Motor America showed a colorful glimpse of the future when it took the wraps off the Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show today. The custom concept is derived from the all-new five-door Elantra Touring, scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in 2008, taking advantage of the strong resurgence in small hatchbacks. The Elantra Touring Beach Cruiser Concept was customized by K-Daddyz Kustomz of Bakersfield, Calif., to capture this future model's high-function and fun-to-drive character.

K-Daddyz Kustoms Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept

K-Daddyz Kustomz is participating with Hyundai for the fifth consecutive year at SEMA with a world premier. Kyle "K-Daddy" Gann took a prototype Elantra Touring five-door compact and created the ultimate Southern California "Beach Cruiser."

A two-tone "Amazing Grape" and "Tango Orange" paint scheme with Hyundai's "Flying H" tribal graphics highlights the flowing curves of the concept and a green Polynesian Tiki idol graces the hood. True to the cruising culture, the vehicle features a front-to-rear panoramic sunroof. K-Daddyz' team also crafted a full line of interior and exterior billet accessories along with a custom race exhaust and ground effects kit. This approach is highlighted by a custom front grille with interlocking "Flying H" logos.

Performance enhancements include a prototype cold intake system, strut tower brace and painted engine cover and accessories. Twenty-inch Konig Rolf Blix 3 wheels matched with low-profile Dunlap Sport Maxx tires, complete the aggressive and sporty look for the "Beach Cruiser."

The purple and orange paint scheme is carried through to the interior and is complemented by two-tone brown leather surfaces and matching interior accents. No cruising car would be complete without state-of-the-art audio and video capabilities, and K-Daddy delivers with four rear-seat video screens, eight speakers, five amplifiers and eight Infinity subwoofers. In signature attention-to-detail fashion, K-Daddy created billet speaker grilles to match the exterior "Flying H" grilles, fabricated by Ryno Manufacturing. Gann also covered the five amplifiers in the trunk with an orange fiberglass "Flying H" hand painted with a purple outline.

Exterior:

• Two-tone paint (Amazing Grape and Tango Orange) DuPont Hot Hues

• Airbrushing and pin striping by Sacred Air

• Billet grilles by Ryno Manufacturing

• 20-inch Konig Rolf Blix 3 wheels

• Dunlop Sport Maxx tires

• MagnaFlow dual exhaust

• Prototype ground effects by K-Daddyz Kustoms

• Tinted windows

Interior:

• Two-tone leather interior by Classic Soft Trim

• Painted and airbrushed interior panels

• Billet speaker grilles to match exterior grilles by Ryno

Manufacturing

• Infinity Audio system

• Titanium video system

• Custom fiberglass speaker enclosure by Hard Core Audio

Mechanical:

• Cold air intake

• Painted motor cover and accessories

• Strut tower brace

Nissan FORUM concept to debut at 2008 Detroit show

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 30, 2007) - Nissan's exploration of the next generation of family transportation, the Nissan FORUM Concept, offers distinctive styling with innovations including trackless sliding doors and no B-pillars. Created at Nissan Design America, the FORUM Concept makes its public debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

2008 C350 Steel Gray with Gray-Black interior, Premium 2 package, Panorama sunroof, teleaid, Balance of the factory warranty remaining, carfax available - RBM has been Atlanta's PREMIER Mercedes Benz dealer for over 40 years. We pride ourselves on Customer Service, Quality, and a Friendly atmosphere

Mercedes-Benz C220

German tuners have just unveiled their BRABUS D3 S POWER XTRA upgrade for the new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI. The plug-in kit produces an additional 50 PS (49HP)/36.8 kW more power and an extra 80 Nm of torque combined with maximum environmental friendliness in harmony with the euro-IV emission limits.

The upgrade proffers the sedan with a processor-controlled auxiliary control unit with integrated injector drive module which comes with a ready-to-connect wire harness and detailed installation instructions and can be quickly installed by any Mercedes-Benz dealer.

The tuning kit works perfectly in combination with the standard particulate filter of the C 220 CDI to give more power. Regardless of the increased performance, emissions of the turbodiesel engine remains on the low level of the production car. The boost in torque gives the C 220 CDI superior pulling power even at low engine speeds, making �passing maneuvers� shorter and safer.

With the sprint time from 0-100 km/h of 7.8 seconds, the C 220 with the Brabus performance kit takes almost a full second less than the production car. The top speed of 239 km/h exceeds that of the production model by 10 km/h.

From outside, the fully stainless steel Brabus quad sport exhaust adds icing to the cake. In addition to the performance tuning, Brabus offers an extensive customization program for the new sedan. The product range includes a sporty yet elegantly shaped aerodynamic-enhancement kit, sporty suspension modifications from a simple lowering kit to a complete sports suspension, high-performance brake systems as well as exclusive interior accessories including handcrafted fully leather interiors.

It was way back in 1979 when Brabus had first of many customers from the UAE and installed the first audio multimedia system with TV and Video in 1982. Later it was recognized by some big automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Smart and Maybach. Till date, Brabus has marked many landmarks such as breaking the World Top Speed Records for production saloons. This time Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI with a new plug-in kit from Brabus hope to improve on that strong identity of theirs, although you always know Brabus would come out of something worth an eye!