The Renault/ Nissan alliance has benefited both companies quite well since it was formed. More mutual benefits are set to take place in the coming years after a rumour surfaced that Dacia will model its first ever SUV after the highly successful Nissan Qashqai. Dacia is owned by Renault.

According to Masini.ro the Dacia brand will exploit its relationship with Nissan by using some of the components and dimensions found in the Qashqai for the production version of its Duster concept.

The Duster concept was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva International Motor Show. It is 4.25 metres long, 1.49 metres high and uses a 1.5dCi engine with 105hp (77kW) and 240Nm of torque. The design is quite revolutionary for Dacia and includes highlights such as high-mounted side mirrors and wraparound rear lights. Interestingly the Dacia SUV will not be connected to the Sandero Stepway.

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

New York-based jewelry designers Tiret and British auto designers LSE, known for their two-door Range Rover conversions, have worked together to build the new Tiret Coupe. Based on the Range Rover Sport, the Tiret model is built with “diamonds and Swiss precision,” along with other luxe materials.

The SUV includes a surprising amount of diamonds built into the instrument cluster dials, with a luxurious “Tiret clock” built in. Tiret’s watchmaker Daniel Lazar designed the gauges and clock to give the vehicle a truly unique look and feel inside. The Nappa leather seats don’t hurt, either. For this model, engineers have built large, flared wheel arches to house the 22″ LSE alloys. Custom twin chrome tailpipes round out a package that includes LED lights, exclusive woodwork, and glass panoramic roof.

Unveiled a few days ago at Baselworld 2009 in Switzerland, the Tiret Coupe will have you asking, “What recession?”

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

German tuners Abt Sportsline will be giving their new Abt Q5 a power boost. The company already increases horsepower on the 2.0-liter TFSI from 211 to 240, but the tuner firm says a 275hp upgrade will be available in due time. The 3.0-liter TDI is available with up 310 hp and 611 Nm of torque.

Along with this announcement, they released some new images of the SUV. Introduced in Essen, Abt’s Audi Q5 receives new styling from front-to-back and top-to-bottom, as well as performance upgrades. Modifications are done to each of the three engine choices, which begins with a 2.0-liter TDI getting a boost to 190 hp. Bigger brakes are included to keep the vehicle under control. The company’s Level Control air-spring suspension kit is an available option, with lowering springs as standard.

Other benefits include a custom built muffler which leads to quad-exhaust pipes. A new rear wing and apron, larger front grill, new front spoiler, large fender extensions, and door trims round out the list of body improvements. Abt has also added new 22-inch BR alloys, and carbon fiber pattern leather to the interior.

If you’re interested in purchasing an Abt Q5, you will be glad to know that the firm has sales partners in many major cities across the world. Sadly, they have no sales outlet in Australia/New Zealand.

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

For drivers looking for something that’s not the average high-performance car: Have you considered a Volkswagen T5 Multivan?

We’re not talking about the typical Multivan, of course; we refer to the creations of Berlin-based TH Automobile, whose modus operandi consists of hanging Porsche engines in Volkswagen vans. The TH2 Multivan has had a Porsche 996 GT2’s 3.6 liter twin-turbo engine Frankenstein-ed into place behind the fuel tank, resulting in a 558PS, 807 Nm rear-drive people-hauler. A choice of rear- or all-wheel drive is available. If you want to go truly wild, TH Automotive will leave the standard 150PS diesel in place up front, for double-engined goodness. Hmm, that sounds familiar…

Driving such a vehicle with its original suspension and brakes would be suicide, of course, so TH Automotive also transplants upgraded suspension and brake components from Porsche donors. Six-piston calipers up front and 4-pots at the rear ensure that this fast bus can stop safely. The suspension is lowered, and uses Porsche components as well.

At a glance, the TH2 Multivan looks stock except for the new front fascia and lowered stance, but subtle hints like a shortened tailgate and red Porsche brake calipers visible through the wheels are evidence that this vehicle has the heart of a beast. On the interior, amenities such as a Porsche steering wheel and ignition key (naturally), rearview camera and rear-seat DVD player offer a level of guest-room comfort that’s not generally seen in the average 911.

Pricing for the TH2 Multivan starts at €145,000. There’s a pickup version, too, with a stretched bed to accommodate the Porsche engine beneath.

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

B&B is making a power statement with the Volkswagen Eos. Normally found sporting a 2.0-litre TFSI engine good for 147kW (200hp), the B&B engineers decided this was light stuff for the Eos. In keeping with this decision they turned the coupe cabriolet into a powerhouse of note with four different levels of power.

At the bottom of the pile is 360hp (265kW) followed by 400hp (294kW) and then 450hp (331kW) and finally 500hp (368kW). The 500hp (368kW) version makes 650Nm of torque and is said to run from 0 – 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. Naught to 200km/h is done in 13.5 seconds and the top speed is about 308km/h (191mph).

Components installed to achieve these supercar levels of performance include special intake and airflow pipes, a newly developed intercooler turbocharger, high-power injection elements and a more precise fuel pump.

Power like this poses certain engineering challenges as far as the daily use of the car is concerned. B&B made provision for this by installing a special slim line oil cooler, new gaskets, ledges and other parts. An adjustable suspension system has been fitted as well as a high-end braking system. The B&B Eos runs on either 18-inch or 19-inch tyres. Pictured here the B&B Eos is wearing a full body kit by Caractere.

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

Brace yourselves: it’s another body kit for the Bentley Continental GT.

This one’s from Hamann, and it’s called the Imperator. As a follow-up to the performance upgrades designed for the Bentley Continental GT and GT Speed, the tuner’s comprehensive appearance upgrade is now available. The sixteen-piece body kit includes a revised front bumper with the latest in LED daytime running light fashion, side skirts and fender flares with vents, and a new rear bumper, diffuser and spoiler. A choice of Hamann-designed wheels is available; 21 x 10.5 inch, or a set of even larger 22-inchers that are 10.5 inches wide at the front and 11 at the rear.

The visual upgrades are a nice complement to the power boost, which raises the power output of the 6.0 liter W12 to 630HP thanks to an ECU upgrade and a new exhaust with high-flow catalytic converters, an x-pipe and new mufflers. Torque is up to 553 lb-ft. The Continental GT Speed benefits as well, jumping to 650 horses and 612 lb-ft. A revised control unit for the Bentley’s air suspension is part of the package as well, allowing the Imperator to be lowered 30mm up front and 20mm at the rear for a more race-ready look.

The interior is offered with clear-coated carbon fiber trim, of course, as well as aluminum pedals and a sport steering wheel.

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

Hamann announced that they now have a body kit to go with their tuning programme for the 2009 BMW 7 Series. Details are being kept under wraps for the moment except to say those tyres are running on 22-inch rims. Visually, components like a rear boot spoiler, a rear roof spoiler, four tailpipes and new side skirts can be spotted. The interior shows sporty pedals, and black leather seats and carpets stitched with the Hamann logo.

The previous-generation Hamann 7 (HM 7.1) was announced in 2005 and was based on the 760i/L. Hamman increased the factory V12 engine capacity from 6.0-litres to 7.1-litres and managed to release 510hp (375kW) and 728Nm of torque. The 0 – 100km/h time improved to 5 seconds while top speed went up to 312km/h (194mph).

Other models in the 7 Series range that were tuned are the 745i and the 745iL. These received a 5.2-litre V8 with increased power to 412hp (303kW).

Hamann is busy developing the next programme for the new 7 Series and we suspect the base car will be powered by the current 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 from the 750i/Li. After the release of the new 760i/Li we should see Hamann stepping up to it as well.

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

Brabus is not taking any chances as it aims to stay ahead of its tuning rivals. It was this year that Mercedes-Benz released the W212 series E-Class range but Brabus has already unveiled a tuning program for it.

The specific E-Class model toping the new programme is the E 500 which has had its 5.5-litre V8 increased to 6.1-litres (372 cu. in.). Along with the increased displacement is a special crankshaft and larger pistons. Additionally the cylinder heads are optimized for mixture flow, and fitted with special camshafts. High-efficiency metal catalysts are also part of the engine conversion.

Extracted performance adds up to 462hp (340kW) of peak power and 615Nm (453 lb-ft) of maximum torque. It is fitted with a limited slip differential that helps to access all this power. As a result, 0 – 100km/h takes 4.7 seconds and the top speed is 305km/h (191mph).

The new Brabus E-Class will be available with light alloy wheels ranging from 17- to 20-inches. For the 20-inch option the Pirelli or Yokohama tyre sizes are 245/30 ZR 20 up front and 285/25 ZR 20 at the rear. Brabus has developed a suspension kit that allows for a range of settings, including sporty and very comfortable.

The exterior is differentiated by features such as LED daytime running lights, chrome-plated tailpipes, aluminium front sport fender panels and a custom Brabus front apron. Luxury items found in the interior include a multimedia system with an integrated 7-inch LCD display and a DVD player. Full Brabus leather and Alcantara make the interior a sporty yet comfortable space.

Coming soon are Brabus-tuned CDI BlueEFFIENCY turbo diesel and E 350 BlueTEC models.

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

The renowned Volvo experts at Heico Sportiv have released further details on the Volvo XC60 tuning package shown at last year’s Essen Motor Show. It’s one of the first kits available for the XC60, and Heico has set the bar quite high for any who might choose to follow.

Heico worked hard to keep the “fundamental DNA” of the XC60 intact, and the body package, which includes front, rear and side treatments, blends neatly into the XC60’s lines. The front spoiler meets pedestrian protection guidelines, and the rear apron wraps neatly around the stainless steel exhaust outlets. Heico has made subtle modifications to the daytime running light housings as well. Wheels can be had in 19- and 20-inch sizes from Heico’s Volution wheel series, with a choice of colors.

The Volvo tuners don’t leave the XC60’s powertrain alone, either. Output of the 2.4D and D5 engines is boosted to 210 PS, up from 163 and 185 respectively. The 3.0 turbo straight-six in the T6 fares even better, moving from an already respectable 285 PS to 315. Sport springs lower the XC60 about 30mm, and Heico also has a sport suspension with stiffer shocks available.

Acres of leather are available for the interior, of course. Heico trims the front seats, door panels and shift knob in one of nine different hues of cow, with custom upholstery available on request.

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