Porsche tuner Switzer Performance Innovation (SPI) has released a new video of their latest creation, a 750 hp upgrade package for the Porsche 997, a toned down version of their “Sledgehammer” 997 which gets 1,000 hp. In the video we see a new 997, fitted with the SPI L4 700/750 Tiptronic upgrade, being put through quarter-mile testing.

The L4 700/750 package uses new on board computer software, replaces the turbos with VTG V3s, new intercoolers, and a new exhaust. For this test, they kept the stock Michelin PS2 tires and the stock 19-inch wheels.

The video really speaks for itself. 0-60mph times stayed at about 2.5 seconds, with recorded quarter-miles coming in at around 11.25 seconds. At the quarter-mile mark, the car had already topped 130 mph. SPI claims they were able to get to the quarter-mile at about 10.5 seconds in unverified testing.

That is still a far cry from the under-9.8 second quarter mile time posted by the Sledgehammer. SPI got the 997 Sledgehammer to those huge horsepower numbers by tuning the computer, using new headers, changing the exhaust, adding an intercooler system, and converting the stock twin-turbos to SPI-upgraded GT30R turbos.

Company founder Tym Switzer said, “The Sledgehammer is a great package, but a thousand-horsepower 997 isn’t for everyone. The L4 700/750 Tiptronic package appeals to a much broader audience, and with the flexibility of the semi-automatic transmission and mild exhaust note, the L4 Tiptronic cars are as much at home in traffic as they are at the racetrack.”

SPI’s new package is also significantly less expensive than the Sledgehammer package. Bringing your car Porsche 997 to 750 hp will still cost you $18,450, but that is much less than the $50k you’ll spend to boost it to 1,000 hp.

And you’ll still be able to outrun most anybody trying to chase you down. Unless you’re running from a 997 Sledgehammer.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Owners of supercars know what it’s like to scrape a curb or hit the underbelly of a car on a speed hump because of how close to the ground these types of cars sit. Some of these “incidents” can be quite costly to fix. Enter the new Cargraphic “Airlift Suspension System”, a patented automatic level control system that can be installed into the Porsche 996 and 997 series.

The system works by wireless remote control and is operated by the driver. It will raise the car’s front suspension by 55mm (2.2-inches) to help it negotiate curbs or speed humps without causing thousands in damage. Should the driver neglect to cancel it after getting over the obstacle, the Cargraphic Airlift Suspension System will automatically return the car to its normal everyday suspension setting as soon as it hits 50km/h (31mph).

Cargraphic itself takes care of the installation at their HQ in Landau, Germany. It takes about a day to finish the job. BILSTEIN, manufacturers of shock absorbers were involved in the development of this Cargraphic system and so it works with BILSTEIN suspensions as well. It even works with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management).

Porsche will not be the only ones that benefit though. Cargraphic is working on an Audi version to be employed in an R8 and other high performance models.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

These pictures of a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG finished in chrome were found posted on a web forum. They were apparently taken in Dubai. Although the C63 AMG comes in a range of 10 colours, 7 of which are metallic, none of them is chrome.

Mercedes revealed the C63 AMG in July 2007 and launched it in September that same year. Based on the W204 platform, the car is the flagship model in the C-Class range. It’s powered through the rear wheels by a normally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine that produces 451hp (336kW) and torque of 443 lb-ft (600Nm). The official 0 – 100km/h time is 4.5 seconds.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Carlsson has finally released details regarding the amazing SL CK63 RS which first debuted at the Essen Motor Show.

Based on the Mercedes SL 63 AMG, Carlsson reworked the standard car’s V8 engine with 525 hp (386 kW) and 465 ft-lbs (630 Nm) of torque to produce 600 hp (411 kW) and 705 Nm (520 ft-lbs) of torque. This pays modest dividends in terms of performance as Carlsson estimates the SL CK63 RS will rocket to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds while the fore mentioned SL 63 AMG is a few ticks slower at 4.5 seconds. The vehicle’s top speed has also been increased to 325 km/h (202 mph).

Carlsson engineers also threw in several other performance minded changes including an electronic lowering C-Tronic suspension, a high-performance carbon composite braking system, and ultra light 20-inch wheels outfitted with high-performance Dunlop SP SportMaxx tires.

The exterior features a new aerodynamic kit which includes a reworked bumper with mesh inserts for the air intakes and a new front spoiler and rear diffuser which are both constructed of lightweight polyurethane. A unique stealth titan graphite paint scheme with a matte finish is available but if that doesn’t suit your tastes there are five other exterior colors to choose from. Inside, the car gets a luxurious treatment of leather and alcantara applied to the seats and door trim.

German pricing starts at a rather pricey €272,500 but cars as exclusive as this never come cheap.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

We all know the new Dodge Challenger is a big hit in the States, but the car has shown a steady following from European tuners. This particular car comes from German tuner KW and shows how the company’s suspension can turn the standard car’s mediocre ride quality into something special.

The car features a hydraulic suspension that offers an improved ride with the ability to lower the ride height almost instantly thanks to a push of a button. It works in conjunction with KW’s coil-over struts in order to provide superior handling and enhanced road feel. Other changes include 22-inch HRE wheels outfitted with low profile tires and slick Lamborghini-style scissor doors.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

AC Schnitzer is a company that specialises in tuning BMW Group cars. This time instead of offering a fully-tuned car, AC Schnitzer is announcing the availability of an after-market limited slip differential (LSD) for BMW 1 and 3 Series as well as MINI cars.

The LSD basically works to ensure the rear-wheel-driven vehicles have as much traction as possible in order not to slip out of control. If it detects that one side of the driving axle is about to slip it sends up to 75 percent of extra power to the opposite wheel.

MINI is front-wheel-driven so its LSD improves steering behavior to make it more direct. It also helps to reduce understeer which is common with FWD cars.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

American tuner South Side Performance has created a turbo kit capable of boosting the Nissan GT-R up to 820 horsepower. The upgrade is made to fit on Nissan’s stock parts facilitating quality of installation.

If true, this could bring the 0-60mph time down from 3.2 seconds to somewhere between the Bugatti Veyron and the Hennessey Venom 800TT (2.9 s and 2.4 s).

South Side Performance uses Garrett ball bearing water cooled turbo chargers, an upgraded actuator, high pressure aluminum compressor wheel, and new turbine wheel. The company claims their choice in turbo is because of the large amount of power Garrett turbos produce, even at low RPMs. Thus, these new turbos deliver a healthy amount of additional horsepower from the moment you hit the accelerator, on up to the red line.

Anybody looking to race for pink slips and evade police chases would want to get the South Side Performance GTR820RR Turbo Upgrade Kit. Anybody else might find that kind of power to be unnecessary. When exchanging the GT-R stock turbo, the price of this kit comes to $6,499. Installation takes about a week.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Steve Saleen’s SMS outfit is ready to take the SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger into production.

These will be the first vehicles produced in SMS’s Signature Series line, which will also include high-performance versions of the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro.

The 570 and 570X Challenger are based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and will feature a host of SMS performance parts including the SMS Red Butterfly Induction hood and the SMS 296 Supercharger.

The SMS 296 Supercharger sits atop of the Challenger’s 5.7 liter Hemi engine and will boost power to 500 horses for the 570, while taking the 570X to a raging 700 hp.

SMS Challengers will also come with new components to improve suspension and aerodynamics. SMS editions also including new wheels, tires an cabin tuning with premium leather.

The SMS 570 and 570X Challenger are scheduled to go into production this month. Prices are 60,000 US dollars for the SMS 570 and 70,000 for the 570X.

Both vehicles will be available for order from your local Dodge dealer.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Since 1958 the Hurst Performance Vehicle Group has partnered with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to build some of the finest performance cars. Their latest offering, a matte gold-coloured Hurst 50th Anniversary Dodge Viper, sold at auction for US$275,000. Only 50 of these cars are expected to be produced.

What makes it special, apart from the auction price, are the black chrome wheels measuring 19-inches and 20-inches front and rear respectively, a dash-mounted plaque with the buyer’s name on it, an adjustable suspension system and a Hurst HARD-DRIVE gold anodized pistol-grip shifter amongst others.

The beneficiary from the car’s auction is called, Victory Junction, an all-year camping environment for children who are ages 6 to 16 with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. The camp aims to provide a fun, educational and life-changing entertaining experience for these children in a medically-sound manner.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

If you believed AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg when he said, “the horsepower war is over,” the people at RENNTECH would like to have a word with you.

RENNTECH still wants competitors to know that performance is not something to be taken lightly.  Mornhinweg’s statement came in connection with a new line of cars focusing on saving weight and engine tuning in attempt to save fuel.  RENNTECH, on the other hand, is focusing attention on the new RENNTECH 777, a 777 hp mean machine.

RENNTECH president Hartmut Feyhl said, “Last year, it was a coincidence that we were releasing a new, 695 hp performance package for the 65 series AMG cars at around the same time. We sent out a press release that said ‘HP War Not Over.’”

“This year it is the same timing again, and we have something much more extreme to announce for our 20th Anniversary.”

2009 is the company’s 20th anniversary, and Feyhl is trying to show people his company is the “foremost authority on Mercedes-Benz performance tuning.”  They will bring several limited edition cars to market this year, starting with the 777.

The RENNTECH 777 begins with an SLR McLaren, and adds on a new aero kit, with “big wing, splitters, and skirts.  A top speed of 210 mph is expected, thanks to the 5.5-liter supercharged Kompressor V8.  New suspension, a stronger transmission, and a limited-slip differential will be included.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »