The SPORTEC SPR1 T80 is one quick car. While based on the Porsche 997 the SPR1 T80 will most certainly show the factory unit its massive rear spoiler should it come to that. Using the 3.6-litre bi-turbo flat six, SPORTEC went to the workshop with something making around 350kW (476hp) and came out with a 640kW (858bhp) hurricane. The maximum torque is 870Nm at 4,800rpm and is split within all four wheels via the 6-speed manual gearbox.

Full use of the launch control system that includes a limited slip differential sees the car leap from 0 – 62mph in 3 seconds flat, with the 300km/h indicator coming up in just 18.9 seconds and the top speed is more than 380km/h. This was achieved at Nardo in Italy.

Exterior accessories include kit such as 20-inch forged alloy wheels (255/30R20 front and 345/25/ZR20 rear tyres), a sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, fog lights, a carbon fiber rear wing, ceramic brakes and a road-illegal motorsport exhaust system.

The interior features electric windows, remote central locking, a heated rear window, a removable rear cross brace in safety roll cage, sport seats and a complete leather/alcantara interior.

Options are bountiful and include a satellite navigation system, a multifunction steering wheel, a hi-fi system, air conditioning and a fully customised interior. It can also be specced with an active suspension and an adjustable rear spoiler, depending on the package chosen.

This October the car tuner Caractere will introduce a new styling kit for the Audi Q5. If ever there was an official S or even an RS version of the Q5 this Caractere would probably stand a good chance of being picked off the designs queue.

The kit consists of a complete front bumper that is compatible with the company’s S-line version. Other pieces include the roof spoiler, a ten-piece set of wheel arch extensions (also compatible with the S-line version) and a rear hatch blend. Lastly the rear spoiler, with or without exhaust with left and right tips is installed.

All the aforementioned parts are made from PURim. The CW1 wheels fitted are already on offer for this kind of vehicle. These are 18-inch, 19-inch and 20-inch in size.

Although it is isn’t slated to be officially revealed until this fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show, it feels like we’ve been seeing the wraps come off BMW’s X1 baby crossover for years now. Thanks to a steady stream of spy shots over the last 18 months or so, we feel like we ought to be able to tell you not only the shape and size of the glovebox, but the material its walls are made of. Regardless, these are the first official shots of the X1 that have leaked out on the web, apparently because of German magazine FOCUS online.

As we’ve already seen almost all elements of the X1 already, the final shape doesn’t surprise us, which appears much like a shrunken X5 mixed with styling cues from the bull-nosed 7-Series, 5-Series Gran Turismo, and of course, last year’s X1 Concept.

The inside is typical Bimmer fare as well, with a sober but handsome and well-screwed-together look. The usual accoutrements are present in the photo models’ driver oriented instrument panels, including iDrive, USB ports, and thumb-shifters for the automatic.

We’re already tired of BMW’s awkward model naming conventions, but regardless, the CUV is expected to launch in Europe in xDrive18i and xDrive 18d configurations, along with an xDrive20d model whose 177 hp diesel is apparently good for 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, an xDrive23d model with a 204 hp oil-burner (0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds, top speed of 139 mph), as well as the xDrive28i, which is apparently good for 143 mph. No word yet on what models we’ll see in the U.S. just yet, but we’d be surprised to see anything less powerful than the xDrive28i in Stateside dealers, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed for a diesel variant.

According to current scuttlebutt, the X1 will launch in autumn exclusively paired with all-wheel drive, but rear-wheel drive versions are expected to come on line soon thereafter. Check out the gallery below and keep checking back with us for further details as they become available.

Building upon their five previous Seat Leon styling kits in various forms, JE Design has announced yet another new styling package for Seat’s recently updated Leon.

The company starts out by offering an extensive aerodynamic body kit that consists of a new front spoiler (€299), aggressive side skirts (€299), and a bold rear apron in mock carbon fiber (€349). Should that fail to spark your interest, JE Design also offers a massive rear wing (€459), a matt black grille (€119), “headlights masks” (€89), and a hood scoop (€149).

To give the Leon a sporty stance, JE Design offers a sport spring lowering kit (€159) that reduces the ride height 35mm up front and 15mm out back. If that isn’t enough for your tastes, they also offer a more aggressive coilover lowering kit (€979) that reduces ride height by up to 65mm.

Other styling options include the usual assortment of alloy wheels (in 17, 18 and 19 inches), a stainless steel dual central exhaust (€339), and a slightly sportier stainless steel quad exhaust (€899).

TECHART, in a repeat of last year, has been named this year’s winner of the annual Sport Auto Tuner Grand Prix at Hockenheimring race track in Germany.

The Porsche specialist entered their stunning GTstreet RS, which is based on the Porsche 911 GT2, for the highly competitive GT Turbo class showdown. With professional racing driver Jörg Hardt behind the wheel, TECHART was able to post a jaw dropping average lap time of 1:08.037 minutes over five laps. Although the company was only 0.604 seconds faster than the runner up, they managed to claim a win in the GT Turbo class and an overall victory for all classes entered.

TECHART’s GTstreet RS features modified VTG turbochargers which enable the engine to produce a mind-blowing 700 bhp (515 kW) and 860 Nm of torque. When combined with a specially designed height-adjustable sports suspension and lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup rubber, the TECHART GTstreet RS is certainly a formidable opponent.

Besides entering the GT Turbo class, TECHART also entered the Coupé/Cabriolet-turbo class with the TECHART GTstreet R Cabrio (based on the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet) and the SUV class with the Magnum (based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S). Both vehicles won their respective classes with the GTstreet R Cabrio posting an average lap time of 1:09.601 minutes while the Magnum averaged 1:16.939.

NOVITEC ROSSO has taken a F430 Scuderia Spider 16M by the scruff of the neck and seemingly came out on top. Admittedly the tuner already had plenty to work with from the start. The basis is a normally aspirated 4.3-litre V8 producing 510hp (375kW) and peak torque of 470Nm. Its redline limit is set at 8,640rpm.

The NOVITEC ROSSO solution uses not one but two cogged-belt-driven high-performance superchargers with a maximum boost of 0.48 bar. Components added to assist the package include high-performance air filters, bigger injectors, larger cooling circuits for the water and oil, and dedicated cooling circuits for both compressors and the intercoolers. Its mate is an F1-SuperFast2 transmission.

All that remains is the release of 696 horses (512kW) into the stratosphere. Maximum pulling power is a stupendous 682Nm of torque made at 6,300rpm. The performance figures are just as impressive; 0 – 100km/h in 3.5 seconds, 0 – 200km/h in 9.7 seconds and 0 – 300km/h in 23.8 seconds. The top end reaches over 330km/h.

The custom-tailored high-performance Pirelli tyres come in size 235/30 ZR 20 at the front and 325/25 ZR 20 at the rear. Sportier springs have been fitted to lower the centre of gravity and improve handling while a hydraulic lift system is installed at the front end to lift the car by up to 40mm to help it negotiate obstacles like speed bumps and curbs.

NOVITEC ROSSO has put a price tag of €47,000 (USD66,000) on the tuning package. For that buyers get fantastic performance as well as an individualisation programme that should give each customer a supercar unlike any other on the road.

Las Vegas-based tuners Shelby are releasing another new set of mods for the Mustang.  The limited edition 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake includes improvements both to power and performance.

“Over the past 12 months, my team of hot rodders was hard at work on a Super Snake package for the next generation GT500,” said Carroll Shelby.  “Every lesson we learned kicking the competition around on the track over the past two years has been poured into this new car to keep Shelby owners out front.”

That is why the company mounts an optional Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger kit, which raises power output to 725 horsepower.  You can also take the car down a peg, and opt for the Ford Racing Supercharger, which helps to produce a maximum 630 hp and 590 ft-lb of torque.  Either way, the driver will take control of a six-speed manual gearbox featuring a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio via the short-throw shifter.  A Borla exhaust unit is also included on both.

The Super Snake gets a standard Ford Racing handling package, which includes lowered springs, adjustable dampers, front strut tower brace and tuned stabilizer bars.  You can purchase the optional Shelby/Eibach handling package as well.  Custom Alcoa 20-inch wheels surround the cross drilled rotors.  A six-piston Shelby/Baer brake system is also part of the package, as are the front brake cooling ducts.

Visual changes begin with the new fiberglass hood, Super Snake striping, rear decklid lettering, and various badging.  Shelby headrests and floormats are also included.

Although the company does say that, “Exclusivity will be assured as a limited number of Super Snakes will be built,” what they do not say is how few units will be produced.  This information would surely be beneficial to anybody considering the car as an investment.

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake will begin production in August.  Pricing for the 630 hp package starts at $29,495, while the 725 hp kit goes for $33,495.  Installation is included, but the price of the car is not.

German-based tuner JE Design has released a new range of styling and performance accessories for the Volkswagen Scirocco.

Under the hood, JE Design equips the standard 2.0-liter TDI engine with a revised ECU module which boosts the engine’s performance from 140 hp (103 kW) to 180 hp (133 kW) and 400 Nm of torque. Performance stats include a 0-100 km/h time of 8.4 seconds (a reduction of 0.9 seconds) and a top speed of 213 km/h (an improvement of 6 km/h). The company also offers a performance package for the 2.0-liter TDI CR, it produces 205 hp (171 kW) and 410 Nm of torque (up from 170 hp (125 kW) and 350 Nm of torque). 0-100 km/h takes 7.1 seconds (an improvement of 0.7 seconds) and the top speed is increased to 229 km/h (up from 222 km/h).

The 2.0-liter TDI performance package costs 1,249 euros while the 2.0-liter TDI CR package retails for 1,449 euros.

In terms of styling, JE Design offers a full body kit (919 euros) that features a bold front spoiler, side skirts with air inlets, and an aggressive rear skirt. Other design tweaks include gull-wing doors (1,549 euros), a stainless steel exhaust system with two oval center mounted end pipes (899 euros), and lowering springs which reduce the ride height by 30mm (299 euros). The company also offers a unique set of 19-inch wheels which are available in shadow silver (2,810 euros) or graphite matt (2,930 euros).

Lorinser is not a tuner that goes out of its way to create cars that scare other motorists off the freeway. Subtle but effective is how they do it over at Lorinser. Occasionally though, they present something like this which is called the Lorinser LV8. It’s based on the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG and instead of pushing out 332kW (451hp) it delivers 368kW (500hp). Maximum torque is also increased to 630Nm. Subsequently the 0 – 100km/h dash can be achieved in 4.3 seconds while top speed goes up to 320km/h.

The LV8 comes fitted with 255/35 18 Continental tyres and a special Lorinser exhaust unit. The aerodynamic kit includes spoiler bumpers and side sills. Lorinser General Manager Marcus Lorinser says the car meets all the registration requirements put on road vehicles.

Look out for the LV8 at the Tuner Grand Prix on the Hockenheimring between the 26th and 27th of June.

German tuner of British cars, Arden, has created a new special edition MINI to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Equipe.

Dubbed the MINI Equipe 2009, the special edition features a thoroughly revised exterior with 18-inch aluminum wheels, a chrome grille, and a stainless steel mesh insert for the rear bumper. Inside, the Equipe boasts a unique two-tone interior with hand-stitched leather on the dash board, seats, doors and steering wheel.

Under the hood, Arden equips the Equipe with revised engine electronics, a new intercooler, and a stainless steel exhaust system with racing catalytic converters. These modest changes help to boost the engine’s output by 40PS and 50Nm. Other performance upgrades include an Arden sport suspension and a high-performance braking system with six-piston calipers up front.

Although pricing information wasn’t released, production will be limited to 40 units.