2009 BMW M3 GT4 SPORT CAR

2009 BMW M3 GT4 SPORT CAR

Novitec Rosso Supercharges the Ferrari 599 GTO to 888 Ponies

Ferrari's most exclusive and powerful series production model, the 599 GTO, doesn't seem fast enough for the aftermarket specialists at Novitec Rosso. This is why the tuning house brought to Geneva Motor Show the 599 GTO Bi-Kompressor, their own version of the Prancing Horse's fastest car.
As the name suggests, Novitec Rosso engineers fitted the naturally-aspirated V12 engine with two superchargers, raising the maximum output from 670 to 888 horsepower. The impressive increase in power can only be rivaled by that of the maximum torque, which goes up from 620 Nm/6,500 rpm (457 lb-ft) to 860 Nm/6,600 (636 lb-ft).
However, the boost in performance is not mind-blowing (compared to the regular model, that is) : the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is 0.15 seconds faster at 3,2 seconds, while top speed is slightly higher at 340 km/h (211 mph). The Novitec Rosso Bi-Kompressor also sprints from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in a 9.1 seconds.
Other technical changes include the fitting of sports springs (however silly that may sound on a 599 GTO) and superlight forged wheels, which are among the lightest of their kind in the world, according to Novitec. The 21-inch front wheels are 22.9 lbs each (10 kg), while each of the rear 22-inch rims weighs 30.4 lbs (13.8 kg). A useful feature devised by Novitec for buyers who like to use their GTO's around town is the front-axle lift function that raises the front of the car by 40 mm to avoid hitting speed-bumps.
As for the exterior, the car shown in Geneva wears a special silver paint with yellow cross stripe on the bonnet and white patches on the doors, as a tribute to the Ferrari 250 GTO that won the Tour de France in 1964. Other changes include yellow brake calipers and blacked out taillights, third brake light, rear fog lamp and side markers.

 photos

Read more In Cars

Hyundai’s Model Naming Conventions: From 0 to Fubar in 4 Years

Hyundai is one of the world’s biggest automakers, and the most visible of South Korea’s business and industrial acumen. So you would think a company that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Toyota and pre-bailout GM would be pretty consistent with its model naming conventions, right?

Well, not exactly. When Hyundai first launched the i30 hatchback in Europe, Australia and other markets, it seemed that familiar nameplates such as Elantra and Sonata would soon be dead and buried. Not so. In fact, the i30 CW (basically, the station wagon version of the i30), is still sold in the U.S. as the Elantra Touring.
And there's another thing. When the “i” and “ix” naming convention was introduced by Hyundai, it seemed to me that the “i” names would be for cars and the “ix” for the brand’s SUVs. This too was not to be. In Australia, the Hyundai Sonata is sold as the i45 and the upcoming ix20 is a B-segment MPV, not a mini SUV.
So what gives, Hyundai? Why can’t you keep the names internally consisted? Audi never had this problem. A’s for cars and Q’s for SUVs. Oh, I forgot about the TT and R8. Damn it, guys! It can’t be that difficult to stay consistent. It irks me, as I’m a pedant and a stickler for uniformity.
So that’s my two cents. We now return you to your regular scheduled blog.
 

photos

Read more In Cars

Mercedes-Benz Launches Viano Avantgarde Edition 125

The 125th anniversary of the world's oldest car maker brought a new version to the Mercedes-Benz Viano range called the Avantgarde Edition 125. Taking its place as the flagship version of the series, this Viano comes with a host of styling features including bespoke 19-inch wheels, chromed mirror housings, chrome trim on the front bumper, chromed side skirts and, finally, chrome trim on the tailgate. Exterior colors are restricted to obsidian black or brilliant silver.
Inside, the Viano Avantgarde Edition 25 can seat six passengers, two in the front and four at the back. The individual seats can be covered in “Lugano” leather or the new “Twin DINAMICA” microfiber surface. Mounted on rails, the rear seats can be moved in 25 mm steps and include height-adjustable head restraints and adjustable armrests. At the front, the instruments have a white scale illumination, while the sports pedals are from brushed stainless-steel.
There are two available V6 engines, a 3.0-liter diesel and a 3.5 liter gasoline unit. The first has an output of 224 horsepower and develops a healthy 440 Nm of torque (324.5 lb-ft), accelerating the 2 tonne minivan from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,1 seconds en route to a top speed of 201 km/h (125 mph). The gasoline engine puts out 258 hp and allows the Viano to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 10,4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 217 km/h (135 mph). Both versions are rear-wheel-drive and have automatic transmissions, while their suspension has been tuned for a sportier feel.
The diesel variant is equipped with BlueEfficiency technology, so average fuel consumption amounts to 8.5 - 8.6 liters/100 km, while CO2 emissions are 224 – 226 g/km. The Edition 125 will be available in two different lengths, compact and long with sales starting this spring.

 photos

Read more In Cars

Tata Pixel, a Four-Seater City Car Concept

Tata, the Indian maker of the Nano, made its way to Geneva with a new concept city car called the Pixel. At just over three meters in lengths, Tata claims the Pixel is "the most package efficient four-seater in the world," being able to "comfortably accommodate four adults".
The design of the car is very similar to that of the Pininfarina Nido, but there's no official mention of the two companies collaborating on the Pixel project. The highlight of the Tata city car concept is the Zero Turn system, which enables maneuvering and parking in tight spaces. An Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) assists rotation of the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards during low-speed maneuvers, with the result being a turning circle radius of just 2.6 meters.
For the same reason of limited parking space, the Pixel's doors open upwards, a feature present on the Pininfarina Nido as well. Another intelligent system used by the Pixel is called “My Tata Connect”, through which the driver can control key functions of the car using only his smartphone or tablet PC.
The Pixel is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, mounted in the rear, just like the Nido (although Tata doesn't mention if it's rear-wheel-drive as the Pininfarina car). The Indian car maker claims the Pixel returns an average fuel consumption of 3.4 liters/100 km (69 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of just 89 g/km, thanks to the use of stop-start technology, low rolling-resistance tires and optimized aerodynamic drag.
Tata official said the concept could spawn a production model for Europe in the near future.
"Tata Motors holds true to its belief that there is an opportunity in Europe for a city car, which is optimal in space, manoeuvrability and environment-friendliness," said ex-Opel boss and current CEO of Tata Motors. "The Tata Pixel is a reflection of Tata Motors' idea of what such a car should be."

photos

Read more In Cars

De Tomaso Deauville Sincerely Flatters BMW's 5 GT

De Tomaso's return in Geneva makes me ask two questions: 1) Why do companies think cars like this, the recent Lagonda, and Spyker D12 are necessary?, and 2) Who's buying them? According to the Italian company, they've already got a 1,500 unit backlog.

The production ready Deauville concept (previously known by its SLC and later SLS codenames), revives the name De Tomaso placed on its 1970's attempt at a luxury sedan; sadly, instead of an attractive Ghia saloon, this time around the Italian marque decided to emulate BMW's GT and create a Pininfarina-penned crossover.
Inside is a different story; the plush, handcrafted interior is bathed in leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber, although I'd like to see what Infiniti's silver flake wood might look like in there.
Once known for cars like the Pantera and Mangusta, it appears that all originality and verve have been sucked from the brand in an attempt to go Teutonic with this humpbacked tourer.
The four-door, 4WD Deauville "sport luxury sedan" will reportedly be available with a turbocharged V6 (300 horsepower), a diesel V6 (250 horsepower) or a V8 (550 horsepower), all imported from "Detroit's Powertrain Integration". Expect more info when deliveries start in September.
 
 photos

VIDEO



Read more In Cars