Mitsubishi Lancer Evo XI

With the launch of the Outlander Sport compact crossover as well as the electric i-MiEV, it seems Mitsubishi Motors is intent on adopting a green image. Word from Japan is that the company is slowly scrapping its sporty-car program in favor of more economical products.

The company’s in-house tuner, Ralliart, has been all but shut down, while plans for the next-generation Lancer Evolution have allegedly been put on hold. However, an inside source tells us that death reports of the next-generation Evo are premature. He informed us that there are still a few people within Mitsubishi who don’t want to see the company’s image car go away, and that development is underway on a plug-in hybrid version of the high-performance sports sedan.

“This way, it will conform to the company’s overall strategic plan of building fuel-efficient cars,” he says. “Yet it will have all the performance that the current Lancer Evo possesses.”

Although nothing is set in stone, it seems that at this point if there is to be another Evo, it will probably have some sort of hybrid option, which is an infinitely better scenario than having no Evo at all. And from what we’ve been told, the new car won’t be a slouch at the test track, either.

2014 Mercedes-Benz SLC

Our sources have confirmed that Mercedes-Benz is hard at work on a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe to rival the likes of the Porsche 911, Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Based on the next-generation SL-Class architecture, the SLC will be smaller and lighter than the luxurious 2-seat roadster. Expect copious amounts of aluminum and, possibly, even carbon fiber to be used in the chassis and body of the SLC.

Slotted beneath the SLS AMG Coupe (and the new SLS Roadster), the SLC will likely be powered by an AMG-tuned 5.5-liter V-8 engine. That should give the SLC more than enough power to challenge the 911 Carrera, without treading on the toes of its bigger and more expensive sibling, the 571-bhp SLS AMG.

Based on the SLS’ starting price of $185,000—and the $80,000 you’d pay for a base Porsche 911—we expect the price of the SLC to fall somewhere around $120,000 when it arrives in 2014.

Return of the SLC

It has been a while since the SLC name graced a Mercedes-Benz. The last iteration was the long-lived C107 model, which lasted from 1971 to 1981. The top powerplant at the time was an aluminum 5.0-liter V-8 engine mated to a 3-speed automatic (though Mercedes-Benz eventually added one extra cog toward the end of the SLC’s lifetime). The new SLC will borrow some styling cues from the past, though the shape appears wholly modern and less retro in spirit than the SLS AMG.

Judging from this illustration, the shape of the SLC appears squat and aggressive. A large grille and oversized Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star dominate the front end. The headlamps sweep backward, giving a sense of speed. Those large side vents are likely functional and there to draw heat away from the engine. And admit it, they also look really cool.

Don’t expect any gullwing-style doors, such as the ones you’ll find on the SLS. A roadster version of the SLC is likely, though Mercedes will be eager not to have it overlap with the most potent versions of the next SL-Class. That means any SLC Roadster will likely place an emphasis on performance, rather than the luxury and tech goodies found in an SL.

Infiniti’s 2013 Latest Muse

It is not only young men and women who début into the society. In fact that tradition has long since died in most parts of the worlds (well, except a handful few)! The latest thing to début into the market in November is the 2013 IPL G Convertible, in the Los Angeles auto show.

The car has been a concept car; on display in Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance would be made into a model, which is going to set foot or rather wheels in the market in 2013.

The concept involved being a 3.7L V6 with an output of 333 horsepower and 374 Nm of torque. Chances are that this would not be modified for the final version of the car.

The exterior would be painted in Malbec Black (but for laymen like you and me, we would simply call it black.) 19-inch IPL aluminum alloy wheels and a three-fold hard top also seem to be one of the attractive features of this car. It also has a sport exhaust.

The interior of the car is going to be of red leather finish, giving it the usual classy look of red and black. After all, these are the colors that the stars in us long for.

The blogs and the car news sites are already bursting with news about the 2013 IPL G Convertible. Some of these news might not be true. They just might be speculations began by over enthusiastic car lovers. We should all hold our horses as well as our breaths, and wait for November, when finally the car would be paraded in front of the world in the Los Angeles auto show.

We cannot be sure whether they would use the original ideas of using a V6 engine or go in something absolutely different. We can only hope to see a car that would live up to our expectations and delight us a lot. So, good luck to Infiniti.

2012 Audi A6 Avant by ABT Released: Official Specs

Just few days after unveiling their upgrade package for the Audi Q3, ABT Sportsline are now introducing a new kit which this time targets the 2012 Audi A6 Avant.

This comes with some upgrades for exterior components. These modifications include a new front spoiler, new sidebars, a custom rear spoiler and a rear apron that integrates the four exhaust pipes.

The new pack also includes some upgrades for the mechanics. The tuner firm upgraded both versions of the 3.0-litre TDI model, and as a result the 245 HP (180 kW) variant produces 300 HP (221 kW) while the weaker version delivers 240 HP (177 kW) instead of 204 HP (180 kW). Don’t worry if you have a petrol versionbecause ABT was also boosted the 2.0 TFSI from 300 HP (221 kW) to no less than 420 HP (309 kW), and as a result the 0 to 100 Km/h sprint time has been improved to 5.0 seconds flat.

Beside this, the German tuner decided to offer this package with lightweight wheels available in sizes 19, 20 or 21 inch combined with high-speed tires. The exhaust technology included in this package consist of rear skirt insert including end pipes.

The interior remains almost the same except 4-piece velour floor mats with embroidered ABT logo.

We’ve tested ABT configurator and the final price was 700 euros. However, depending on what options you choose, the price can vary a lot

2011 CADILLAC CIEL CONCEPT PREMIERES AT PEBBLE BEACH

World renowned carmakers Cadillac has been a one of the premium luxury auto brand since the year 1902. Recently, the makers have delved in to advanced engineering and in-depth research in car making. There thorough research has helped them come up with the unique concept car that they premiered at Pebble beach.

Team Cadillac has successfully introduced their all new “Ciel” concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Ciel pronounced as “C-L” and this term in French means sky. The newly constructed car is a four seated convertible version. This model is introduction to a brand new phase in the car manufacturing history of the company Cadillac. This new model will take the brand’s technology and research to a new level. And the newly introduced open air monitoring mechanism in this model deserves mentioning.

This all new car is equipped with four doors for comfortable passenger entry. This is also equipped with a convertible four – passenger short polished windshield made up of aluminum. Regarding the technicalities the car is equipped with a twin turbo 3.6 liter capacity V 6 engine that can successfully produce about 425 bhp (317 kw/ 431 ps) and it can further generate around 430 lb –ft (583 Nm) power when it is run on all four wheels.

The car is well designed and is heavily inspired by the wonderful coast of California. This Ciel concept model is perfectly equipped with luxurious interior made out of Italian Olive woods and the structure of the car is balanced on the brushed plate made up of nickel, milled – billet aluminum wheels of 22inches in size.

The company has yet not announced the price of the model. Similarly, once the car will be divided in categories and prices will be finalized, the maker will also disclose about the distributorship of the car.

2014 Ford Focus RS – More Dynamic in Design with Eco-Friendly Features

Gunnar Herrmann is considered to be the most valuable architect of building the Ford’s C-segment platform to bring new modification to the car upgradation program. Ford feels proud of handing over the task of car upgradation to Gunnar Herrmann who has highlighted the specific areas of interest. According to him, he likes to use the sophisticated aerodynamic style to increase the aesthete of the car. He is busy of doing his best to reconstruct and re-build new concept vehicles which will be different from the previous doppelgangers. For instance, 2014 Ford Focus RS is a futuristic car with three door option. The hatchback with rear boot lid system is noticeable. However, Gunnar Herrmann is also very happy to announce that he has been empowered to supervise the Ford Focus car upgradation process. 2.0 liter capacitated turbo charged engine is really powerful and fuel economic. More stress has been applied to ensure the acceleration of the performance level via car modification and tuning programs with competency.
The headlamps are capable of offering the excellent nocturnal street navigation process. The car is also made more attractive and highly glamorous by installing the car tuning accessories like odometer, speedometer, and tachometer. The street nav system is more competent and energy efficient. Drive train package is more functional comparing that of previous model. Better emphasis has been paid to upgrade the technical modification and upgradation of the powertrain package. The car wheels are durable with tire bands in perfect order to provide better traction.
Dampers are well built to collect the shock and prevent friction. The metallic struts are also present in the car upgradation kit. The frontal part of the car is also properly tuned by attaching lamp bezels, the bumpers, air inlets and trapezoidal grilles. There is also an air flap device with to ensure the constant airflow into the car compartment. Retractable car seats provide comfort and coziness to the car passengers. There is no cowl shake at the front as engineers have tested the car cabin hundred times before the completion of the car upgradation process.

BMW 1 series M Coupé by AC Schnitzer Unveiled

The 1-series M Coupé in its standard form offers a high level of motorsport atmosphere, but the AC Schnitzer engineers and technicians have decided to eliminate or correct all the compromises resulting from mass production. The well-known tuning company based in Aachen, AC Schnitzer Automobile Technik has already unveiled their program for the BMW 1 Series Coupé ahead for its official debut at the IAA 2011. This package focus primarily on visual enhancements, but the 1 Series Coupé also received a new braking system and suspension.
The main aim of this package was reduction of the weight, so less is more here. Let’s take for example, the high performance brake system. This system ensures stable deceleration even under extended use and extreme heat, and, the most important aspect, saves a clear 4 kg weight, although generously dimensioned.
According to the German tuner, the AC Schnitzer High Performance Brake System for the front and rear axle, consisting of:
-6-piston fixed caliper, front
-4-piston fixed caliper, rear
-slotted, internally vented brake discs (front 380 x 35 mm, rear 355 x 32 mm)
-brake pads
-caliper mounting brackets
-brake pipes
Beside all these, a series of aerodynamic upgrades are scheduled to appear in the next weeks.
The AC Schnitzer engineers and technicians also put their hands on the interior of the 1 Series M Coupe and now is available a large program consisting of exclusive accessories made from high quality materials.

2013 Jaguar XE

March next year sees the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type’s unveiling at the Geneva Salon, so 2011 would be an ideal and emotionally charged launch pad for a 21st century successor. What’s more, Ratan Tata, chairman of the eponymously named group that now owns Jaguar, has publicly stated that he wants to see a smaller, less costly 2-seater.
But there are a number of issues facing the engineering team if Jaguar is to come up with a Porsche Boxster/BMW Z4-size 2-seater. First, the platform: The Ford-derived C1 platform, underpinning the Land Rover Freelander and forthcoming Range Rover LRX, could be a candidate for relatively little cost. Or the solution could be to use a heavily modified version of Jaguar’s two existing platforms, although an aluminium-intensive chassis could prove too expensive.
The second challenge is the powertrain: Jaguar’s options are too large and powerful for the smaller XE, as Jag has to be careful to keep both the XE’s potential and price from edging too close to the XK’s. Volvo’s inline 5-cylinder is probably too tall, but Ford’s 3.5-liter V-6 could work, although Jaguar would probably want to keep capacity below 3.0 liters.
As for styling, expect Ian Callum and his team to move away from E-Type influences and produce an edgy 2-seater with themes first seen on the new XK and developed through the XF into the latest XJ. Whichever way Jaguar moves, don’t expect to see the real thing until 2013, although a concept is likely to appear ahead of the official launch.

Gold-plated Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

The power of extravagance knows no bounds, especially for those who just can’t seem to get enough of it. Then again, when you have the ability to just throw money around like its disposable paper, we suppose that you can do pretty much anything you want, including plating your Ferrari supercar in gold.

This is the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano that has been worked on by Hamann so there’s some top-level tuning in the car already. We already saw this car in the past but it’s certainly worth repeating: this bad boy is plated...with gold.

Apparently, the car belongs to a wealthy and high-profile individual from Dubai and was recently spotted in London being accompanied by no less than a Mansory-tuned Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. If a six-figure Rolls-Royce can serve as the ’bodyguard’ of this gold-plated 599 GTB Fiorano, then it certainly speaks volumes as to how extravagant this 673-horsepower, gold-plated Ferrari really is.

The only thing that boggles our mind is how he can get around town, let alone bring it to another country, without being worried about all the eyes that will inevitably fix their attention on his one-of-a-kind Ferrari.

Check out this gold-plated 599 GTB Fiorano in the streets of London.

2014 Audi R4 e-Tron

Audi’s second e-Tron concept, seen at the Detroit auto show this past January, is widely rumored to be the precursor to a production 2-seat sports coupe known as the R4. While Audi has yet to officially confirm production plans related to the Detroit concept or the R4, a source at Audi admitted “chances are good,” although we were told a production R4 won’t come before 2013.
Based on a mid-engine sports-car platform to be shared with Porsche and Volkswagen, the R4 will be slightly shorter and lower than the TT. Interestingly, the R4 will be rear drive, as opposed to all-wheel drive as on the R8. As for the R4’s powertrain, all Audi will say for now is that “several, probably gasoline combustion but also electric [are in the works].” Despite the recent commotion about the all-electric e-Tron, it appears Audi will come to production with a gasoline-powered R4 first. The most likely engine choice is Audi’s 2.0T turbocharged 4-cylinder with 265–300 bhp, but a source told us that a supercharged V-6 with 300–330 bhp, or the 335-bhp turbocharged 5-cylinder from the TT RS, are under consideration.

Audi A8 L Stretched By ArmorTech

After the stretched Bentley Mulsanne, ArmorTech present their latest project, a stretched Audi A8 L. At a glance it may not be as ambitious, but if you’re paying enough attention, you’ll see the level of modification and attention to detail that ArmorTech’s engineers instill on this custom armored Audi A8 L.

Audi A8 L is long enough for many of its owners, but the Russian firm opinion is a bit different. ArmorTech adds an additional 400 mm to the length of the car by extending both the front and rear doors. This additional length is distributed differently, an additional 150 mm being added to the front, with the rest going to the rear compartment.

It may seem dangerous because all components feel this change, but ArmorTech’s engineers ensure that the appropriate modifications to the brakes, chassis and suspension are made depending on how much extra length and weight are added, so it will be no technical problem.

In addition, this Audi A8 L is also upgraded with a host of luxury amenities. The new features include a retractable glass panel to separate the front compartment from the rear, leather, Alcantara and wood veneer trim, and a complete media center.

ArmorTech, as the name suggest, can also upgrade the A8 to a B6 protection rating. This means it will include everything from bullet proof glass to explosive-resistant high-strength steel and Kevlar materials, which are designed for maximum protection.

With all these changes made on this cac, the drivetrain is kept completely stock, which means there’s a 6.3-liter W-12 engine rated at 500 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque under the hood, sending drive to all four wheels.

Lexus Plans GS-F To Go Hybrid And LFA Roadster To Debut In 2014

Lexus teased us with astunning concept version back in 2008 and after that has returned in shadow. After three years of quiet, we hear some news about about Lexus’ future lineup. An detailed report suggests that the LFA Roadster is on track for a debut sometime in mid-2014.
The Japanese car maker will complete production of all 500 planned LFAs around the middle of 2013 upon which it will wait one year before launching the LFA Roadster, this according to Automotive News.
This debut will come with some changes as well and we can expect to see Lexus’ models significantly updated (either new sheet metal or powertrains) every three years or so, similar to what BMW does with its lineup at this time.
Lexus will firstly come with a redesigned GS due in showrooms at the end of the year and fter this model we’ll see a new IS range built on a shortened version of the new rear-wheel drive platform developed for the GS.
One of the most important information, which is revealed in this report, is that a high-performance GS-F model is being discussed, but with a hybrid drivetrain fitted instead of a conventional V-8. Beside this, in 2012 will be a facelifted HS 250h, which will stick with the current model’s nickel-metal hydride batteries, as well as a redesigned ES.
Specs:
- 2013 – expect the introduction of a completely redesigned LS flagship sedan;
- 2014 – the introduction of the LFA Roadster and a redesigned RX crossover (according to the report)