Subaru Impreza WRX STI fitted with ings N-Spec bodykit

Japanese tuning firm and manufacturer of custom aero parts, ings, has unveiled a bodykit for the new generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The latest kit is part of its N-SPEC series of bodykits, which includes a kit designed specifically for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.

In addition to tuning cars, ings is also involved in the Japanese Super Taikyu racing series, and the N-SPEC series of bodykits are derived from the race cars used in the competition. The kit for the Impreza WRX STI consists of a custom front bumper matched to a new grille to give the car a more aggressive face while increasing downforce. Custom front canards accompany these modifications, while custom sideskirts and a new rear bumper can also be found on the ings-prepped Impreza WRX STI. A fog lamp attachment and cover are also available to match the OEM foglights on the hot-hatch.

The custom front bumper, sideskirts and rear bumper are all available in either fiberglass or a 'hybrid aero' fiberglass material. Hybrid aero fiberglass retains the positive characteristics of traditional fiberglass, including lightness and strength, as well as adopting traits such as flexibility and durability usually associated with materials such as plastic or urethane.

Meanwhile, the front canards and the custom front grille are available in either lightweight carbon-fiber or more affordable fiberglass. Each piece of the kit can be bought separately, but the custom front bumper, sideskirts and rear bumper can be bought as a three-piece aero package from ings. The price for the kit in fiberglass is ¥188,000 ($2,080), while the price in hybrid aero fiberglass is ¥218,000 ($2,410).

Power Enterprise quad-charges the Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R has been called a supercar-killer for its astonishing performance in spite of what have classically been seen as huge barriers: its heavy weight, low cost and non-exotic origins. Regardless of how one comes out on the 'supercar/not supercar' debate, however, the sheer impressiveness of this four-way forced induction system from the aptly-named Power Enterprise can't be denied.

Power Enterprise's approach to modifying the Nissan GT-R follows the tried and true approach of tuning the ECU, adding sticky tires and putting a little color under the hood, but then it goes into relatively uncharted territory. The idea of turbo-supercharging a car isn't itself new - even a few production cars feature the solution. Twin-turbo and twin-supercharging, however is several orders of magnitude less common.

With a pair of Rotrex C30-94 superchargers bolted to the engine and new fuel injectors to flow the necessary fuel, Power Enterprise says the car will feature better low-end and mid-range response, plus more torque. Exactly how much more torque or horsepower is generated depends on the kit. One kit offers 560hp (418kW) as a bolt-on to a stock GT-R, another offers 600hp (448kW).

The final car will be revealed in its entirety at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January. 

DStyle aerokit for the BMW Z4 Coupe and Roadster

With BMW’s new 2010 Z4 just around the corner, this latest kit for the current-generation E85 Coupe and Roadster from Germany’s DStyle may be one of the last of its kind for this particular model. The kit is the new Z4CS (Coupe version) and Z4RS (Roadster version) and it contains a total of ten new accessories for the car.

The package includes a new hood, revised doors and tailgate, pumped fenders (with 50mm extra girth up front and 70mm at the rear), plus a new set of lightweight forged 19in alloy wheels and sports tires. The design also features a pair of custom side mirrors, new side skirts and a sports exhaust system.

DStyle is currently run by German-native Dominik Schwager and has been active in motorsports for the past 20 years. Pricing for the tuner’s latest Z4 kit starts at €8,900.

The 9ff DraXster is capable of hitting 161mph (260km/h) in a Veyron beating time of just 9.5 seconds

Porsche tuning specialists 9ff has unveiled its latest supercar, this time a modified Porsche seemingly focused on drag racing. Featuring a 4.0L twin-turbo flat six engine, the new 9ff puts out around 1,300hp (970kW) while torque spikes at 877lb-ft (1,190Nm). All that horsepower is contained in a lightweight 1,168kg package, meaning that the 9ff DraXster is capable of hitting 161mph (260km/h) in a Veyron beating time of just 9.5 seconds.

Currently, pricing and final top speed figures for the DraXster are unknown, but with that amount of power the car may be capable of beating the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, which recently claimed the title of world's fastest production car with its 255mph top speed.

On the other hand, 9ff has already been working on a different car to specifically beat the record held by the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, in the form of the 9ff GT9R. Final specs for that car are yet to be released but some initial numbers included a 1120hp (836kW) and 774lb-ft (1,050Nm) output from the standard 9ff GT9’s twin-turbocharged 4.0L flat-six engine, which incidentally is rated at 987hp (726kW) and 710lb-ft (964Nm) of torque.

The 9ff DraXster is most likely then focused on acceleration performance as its name suggests rather than all out top speed, and considering the lack of aerodynamic adornments to the car as seen on the GT9 it is unlikely that it has been designed for beating a top speed record.

Via: Autoblog.nl

Innotech Corvette C6 taps Italian design themes

The pressures of modern aerodynamic design and vehicle layout have led to something of a convergence of appearance among many high-end performance cars. Chevrolet's Corvette and Ferrari's front-engine GTs like the 550 Maranello and 599 GTB Fiorano, or even the new California, have been compared as visually similar designs. Now a new custom Corvette design, built by the Czech Republic firm Innotech, develops that resemblance further.

The Innotech Corvette C6 adds several visual elements that evokes what the company calls an "Italian lineage". Starting at the grille and front fascia, Innotech adds chrome bars in place of stainless steel mesh and replaces the fog lights with new, broadened air intakes. Perhaps the most significant new feature is the rear window area treatment, which adds pseudo-structural louvre pieces that build a longer, rounder profile at the rear or the car.

Not all of the styling cues are Ferrari-inspired, however. The doors, for example, have been modified to open vertically, a classic Lamborghini trait. A choice of using the stock hood or adding a louvred model will be made available in 2009, while at the rear a completely redesigned bumper and diffuser area meshes with the classic four round Corvette tail lights to continue the fusion of Italian and American. All of the modified body panels are available in either fiberglass or carbon fiber. Also coming later in 2009 will be a widebody kit for both the coupe and convertible C6.

In addition to the visual changes, Innotech also offers some mild performance upgrades, including Upgraded LS2 or LS3 V8s offering 500-560hp (373-417kW) when naturally aspirated or 600-1,000hp (447-746kW) in supercharged or twin-turbocharged form. A choice of manual or automatic transmissions is also available. Upgraded exhausts give the cars a throatier, more aggressive sound and look while new wheels from HRE or Forgeline complete the image.

For truly lightweight hardware, carbon-magnesium wheels from Dymag are also optionally available. Getting the Italo-American special slowed down again is a choice of 14in (355mm) or 15in (380mm) BAER or Brembo brakes on vented, drilled and slotted rotors with 4 or 6 piston calipers.

Performance will therefore be suitably improved over the stock C6 Corvette, with the 560hp LS3-equipped version sporting a 3,080lb (1,400kg) curb weight, pushing its potential past that of even the Z06, while the forced induction models will rival or exceed the ZR-1's vaunted performance, though Innotech is already planning new customized versions of the Z06 and ZR-1 as well, due out in 2009. A speedster version of the C6 Corvette is also in the works, offering a total of five different body styles for the Innotech Corvette range.

Imola Racing builds widebody Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

As their name suggests, the tuners at Imola Racing specialize in Ferrari modification, and their latest creation demonstrates their art in a particularly dramatic manner. Building on the base of the already excellent Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, Imola adds a widebody kit and a range of performance upgrades via parent company the Dimex Automotive Group.

The widebody kit itself is straightforward enough, offering a wider track and room for more wheel - and sticky rubber - to improve handling. In addition to the wider fenders, the company also adds a new front spoiler, rear diffuser and spoiler and custom wide-lip alloy wheels. Inside, the car can be customized as the buyer desires, but this example features a combination of black and red leather, alcantara and aluminum and carbon fiber trim.

Exact details on performance modifications is still lacking, but a claimed boost to 648hp (483kW) puts the widebody 612 into the realm of the Enzo, which is rated at 651hp (485kW) from the factory. The larger size and weight of the Scaglietti means performance is likely to be somewhat less brutal, but is still a significant improvement over the stock 612's 5.7L V12 rating of 540hp (403kW).

For those that would prefer a slightly more restrained custom 612, Ferrari has its One-to-One program.

Via: Autoblog.nl

Hermès releases custom Smart ForTwo

Customers can pick from ten different color combinations for the interior, including Hermes’ trademark orange

French design house Hermes is known in the fashion world for its premium leather goods, and now the luxury label has used its unique sense of style and material for the Smart ForTwo minicar, with the release of a new special edition model.

The new model takes advantage of Hermes' specialization in leather goods, with the interior receiving a generous helping of leather trim to give it a more fashionable look compared to the standard cloth seats found in the Smart ForTwo. The leather covers the door panels, dashboard and seats, as well as other minor details such as the handbrake. The use of leather is accompanied by a special canvas, known as 'Toile H' (French for 'Canvas H'), on other surfaces of the cabin.

Customers will be able to choose from a range of ten color combinations, with yellow, teal, black, red, green, and Hermes' signature orange among the list of options.

Given the nature of Hermes' reputation as a luxury goods manufacturer, the Hermes Smart ForTwo commands a steep premium over the standard model. While the base Smart ForTwo retails for around $13,990, the Hermes edition is almost three and half more expensive, coming in at a heady $48,500.

Interestingly, the Smart ForTwo is not the first car enhanced by Hermes. The company has previously worked with one special car that sits on the complete other side of the automotive spectrum, the Bugatti Veyron supercar.

Via: Classic Driver