MTM Audi R8 GT3-2: 560 horsepower and rear-wheel drive

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Audi

German tuning company MTM doesn’t necessarily do things the conventional way. Remember the Bimoto, the twin-engined Audi TT that could hit 244 mph? Yeah, different. That’s why we weren’t surprised to see this modified Audi R8 come across our desks. MTM has done some conventional tuning with the car – like supercharging the 4.2-liter V8 – but it’s also performed a procedure we’ve yet to see. The front-wheel drive portion of the Quattro system has been removed, making the car a pure rear-driver. According to MTM, this change provides a “complete new driving experience behind the Audi steering wheel and pure driving pleasure.”

To share this experience with their customers, MTM is now offering a GT3-2 conversion for any V8-powered Audi R8. The package includes the aforementioned supercharger system, which is good for 560 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, carbon fiber aero parts, larger front and rear brakes, adjustable Bilstein suspension, MTM’s unique Bimoto forged wheels and more. Hit the jump for more details and check out the high-res images in the gallery below.

[Source: MTM]

Continue reading MTM Audi R8 GT3-2: 560 horsepower and rear-wheel drive

MTM Audi R8 GT3-2: 560 horsepower and rear-wheel drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about MTM Audi R8 GT3-2: 560 horsepower and rear-wheel drive

Filed under: Classics, Auctions

Muscle car fans and collectors take note – make sure to put June 19th down on your schedule. That’s the day that RM Auctions has set to schedule off a private muscle car collection in San Diego, and more than 80 fine examples of American iron will be looking for new homes.

The auction will be highlighted by some of the performance icons of the muscle car era including an ultra rare 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Convertible, a 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, a 1970 Boss 429 Mustang and a pair of 1969 Camaro Z28s. The best part? All of the cars will be offered at no reserve. You can read more details about the auction in the press release after the jump or head over to RM’s web site for the full list of cars up for sale.

[Source: RM Auctions, Image courtesy of RM Auctions / Darin Schnabel]

Continue reading RM to auction huge collection of muscle cars in Southern California

RM to auction huge collection of muscle cars in Southern California originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about RM to auction huge collection of muscle cars in Southern California

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Subaru

The Subaru press conference at the New York Auto Show isn’t until tomorrow, but with the new 2011 Impreza WRX sitting out in the open, we headed right over to snap a few photos. Just as it has done the past few years, Subaru couldn’t resist tweaking the looks of the WRX and has given it a broader stance thanks to a 1.5-inch wider track both front and rear and flared fenders like those seen on the current generation STI model. The visual upgrades are rounded off with a reworked front fascia and bumper as well as standard 17-inch wheels.

Powertrain options remains the same as the 2010 model – 265 horsepower and 244 lb-ft torque is nothing to complain about – and the interior remains unmolested as well. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru updates when the 2011 Impreza WRX STI is unveiled (the wing is back!). Until then check out the high-res gallery below or read through Subaru’s press release after the jump.

Live photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading New York 2010: Subaru Impreza WRX flaunts new widebody flares for 2011

New York 2010: Subaru Impreza WRX flaunts new widebody flares for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about New York 2010: Subaru Impreza WRX flaunts new widebody flares for 2011

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Dodge, Racing

Have $110,000 burning a hole in your pocket and want to go racing? Consider the 2010 Dodge Viper ACR-X. Excluding the dedicated GTS/R racecar of the late ’90s, the ACR-X is the most potent Viper built by Chrysler. The special edition model comes with 640 horsepower and can lap Laguna Seca three seconds faster than the shockingly quick Viper ACR that owns the track record for a production car.

If that sounds like your cup of tea, you won’t have to wait long to get one. Chrysler has just announced that production of the ACR-X has already started at its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant and provided a few photos and video of the cars going down the assembly line.

Dodge Motorsports and Mopar have even provided a way to put the cars to good use. The Dodge Viper Cup will run at five racetracks starting this summer, and a contingency program will give owners a chance to earn back some of the purchase price of the car. In total more than $200,000 will be paid out, including $25,000 to the 2010 season champion. Follow the jump the press release from Chrysler and a short video of the ACR-X at the assembly plant.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Dodge Viper ACR-X enters production [w/video]

Dodge Viper ACR-X enters production [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about Dodge Viper ACR-X enters production [w/video]

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Hummer, Off-Road

GiegerCars has a love affair with American cars, and a particularly strange affection for Hummers. The German tuner has created all sorts of strange variants like a Christmas-themed H2, a 700-horsepower H2 built for a Texas sheriff or any number of racing-liveried Hummers like the “Gulf Wing” or this Martini Racing inspired H3.

GiegerCars’ latest creation is the Hummer H2 Bomber. The most notable modification is the addition of four Mattracks 88M1-A1 rubber tracks that replace the twenty inch wheels. The rest of the vehicle features a military design theme as well as a roof box with lighting and a silver matte paint finish. Now all we need is a race on a snow-covered drag strip between this and Ken Block’s Subaru TRAX STI. Follow the jump for the press release from GeigerCars.

[Source: GiegerCars.de]

Continue reading GeigerCars Hummer H2 Bomber is ready for winter…now that it’s spring

GeigerCars Hummer H2 Bomber is ready for winter…now that it’s spring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about GeigerCars Hummer H2 Bomber is ready for winter…now that it’s spring

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Porsche

The new 911 GT3 RS might just be the most potent track car ever built for the street by Porsche, but that doesn’t mean it’s the first. The RS line goes all the way back to 1973 with the 911 2.7 RS when Porsche first combined an extra boost of power with the benefits of reduced weight. The original RS had impressive numbers for 1973: 210 horsepower, 0-60 mph in five and a half seconds, and a top speed of 152 mph.

The RS line continued through the 964, 993 and 996 model years, all the way to today’s second generation 997 model introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. The 2010 911 GT3 RS might have significantly more performance than the 1973 911 RS – 450 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph, to be exact – but the inspiration remains the same as the original.

Porsche of UK has created a video highlighting both past and present RS models, featuring the 1973 911 RS and the 996 and 997 911 GT3 RS models on track. Needless to say, there’s a lot of oversteer involved, and it’s an informative and entertaining seven and a half minutes. You can watch the video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Porsche highlights three generations of RS models

Video: Porsche highlights three generations of RS models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about Video: Porsche highlights three generations of RS models

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet

In the last few years it’s become a tradition for automakers to auction off the first production model of a collector car at Barrett-Jackson. That’s set to continue next month when Chevrolet will offer the very first Corvette Z06 Carbon at the Palm Beach Auction from April 1-3. The winner of the auction will not only get the very first Z06 Carbon, but will also be given the opportunity to take a tour of the GM Performance Build Center where the LS7 and LS9 engines are constructed by hand.

Designed as a tribute to the Corvette’s first race at Le Mans 50 years ago, the Z06 Carbon features some parts from the range-topping ZR1 including the Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control suspension and a ZR1-style spoiler. The hood, side sills and front spoiler are also made from lightweight carbon fiber.

If past GM auctions at Barrett-Jackson are anything to go by, the first Z06 Carbon should command a significant amount of cash. The first Corvette ZR1 went for a cool million dollars and the first Camaro had a top bid of $350,000. Most recently a limited edition Corvette Z06 raised $200,000 to benefit Haiti at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction in January. Follow the jump for the official press release from GM.

[source: GM]

Continue reading Want the first Corvette Z06 Carbon? Bring your checkbook to Palm Beach

Want the first Corvette Z06 Carbon? Bring your checkbook to Palm Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about Want the first Corvette Z06 Carbon? Bring your checkbook to Palm Beach

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford, Reviews

We know what you’re thinking. Isn’t it a little late to be reviewing the 2010 Shelby GT500? After all, Ford introduced the 2011 version with the new aluminum block at last month’s Chicago Auto Show. It’s not that we didn’t want to get our hands on the 2010 GT500 before now. In fact, we were champing at the bit to review one a few days after our First Drive, but apparently the universe didn’t want us to have one until now.

Last summer, a few issues delayed our chance at driving Ford’s hottest ‘Stang, beginning with Ford running out of tires for the GT500s in the press fleet (we can’t imagine why). When Fall rolled around, the transmission in our tester was damaged the week before we were scheduled to take delivery. We were ready to give up hope when the call came in that it would be available in March. Better late than never, right? Besides, who’s going to turn down a week with a 540-horsepower muscle car? Al Gore? Definitely not us.

To be honest, our expectations couldn’t have been higher. Our last encounter with the 2010 GT500 at Infineon Raceway allowed us to let loose on the 1/4-mile drag strip and smooth pavement of the road course, the perfect playgrounds for a high-horsepower Mustang laden with its infamous solid rear axle. It was essentially on par with the $80,000 GT500KR, but cost $30,000 less and came without Shelby’s controversial carbon fiber hood, which we could do without anyway. After a day’s worth of fruitful flogging, we were ready to sign the check. But would the GT500 be a less likable character off-track? Could a 540-horsepower Mustang suit our daily requirements of equal parts grocery-getting and canyon-carving? Read on to find out.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 is the best car we’d never buy

Review: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 is the best car we’d never buy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about Review: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 is the best car we’d never buy

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ferrari, Celebrities

Last week the Ferrari 458 Italia made its debut on North American soil at a party hosted by the Italian automaker in Southern California. The guest list was limited to celebrities and Ferrari’s top clients, all of whom got their first peek at Ferrari’s F430 replacement.

As part of the event, the very first 458 Italia designated for the U.S. was auctioned off for charity to the highest bidder with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit Haiti through the CMBB (Catholic Medical Mission Board) and the William J. Clinton Foundation. The guests were in a particularly giving mood, and a top bid of $530,000 took the car home. In addition to the 458 Italia, Ferndando Alonso’s F1 racing suit and two Scuderia Ferrari team member trips to the Canadian Grand Prix in June raised an additional $72,000.

There’s still no word on when the common folk will get to see the 458 Italia here in the United States. Ferrari will not be among the exhibitors at the New York Auto Show, but we fully expect Ferrari to bring the cars to Monterey during the Pebble Beach weekend. Until then you’ll just have to settle for the high-res gallery below.

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading First Ferrari 458 Italia auctioned off to benefit Haiti

First Ferrari 458 Italia auctioned off to benefit Haiti originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about First Ferrari 458 Italia auctioned off to benefit Haiti

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Ford

Historically, pace cars have been limited to the highest performing models of each brand. That’s about to change this weekend when the new 2011 Ford Mustang V6 will serve as the pace car for NASCAR’s Food Land 500 at Bristol International Speedway. This will be the second time a Mustang has paced a NASCAR race this year after the new 5.0-liter Mustang GT led the pack at the Daytona 500 in February.

Despite being the least powerful Mustang available for 2011, the V6 model will be more than capable of carrying out its duties thank to its new 3.7-liter engine and six-speed transmission. With 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, it should have no trouble setting the pace on Bristol’s half mile oval. The budget pony car will undoubtedly be one of the most efficient pace cars in history as well, with the V6 officially rated at a record 31 mpg on the highway. You can see the new 2011 Mustang V6 pace car in action by tuning into Fox this Sunday at 1:00 pm EST.

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

2011 Ford Mustang V6 to pace NASCAR race at Bristol originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading about 2011 Ford Mustang V6 to pace NASCAR race at Bristol