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.

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

As a follow up from the initial photos, HAMANN has just released details regarding the work they have done on the new BMW 7 Series (F01 and F02). The exterior has been beefed up by installing a new front skirt with integrated LED daytime running lights, a roof spoiler and a rear spoiler. Four tailpipes poke out from the rear bumper. Side skirts are part of the aerodynamic package and they also enhance the look.

Buyers can select from a range of wheels, from 19-inch to 22-inch in diameter. The top deep dish alloy rims are sized at 9.0Jx22 inches up front and 10.5Jx22 inches at the rear. They come in a glossy black paint with a diamond-grinded rim star. Respectively the matching tyres are 265/30ZR22 and 295/25ZR22.

The 730d has received a performance upgrade from the stock 180kW (245hp). According to HAMANN this is only the first stage in the engine’s development. Power has been increased to 213kW (290hp).

The 730d and 740i receive four progressively coiled chassis springs each. These lower the cars’ centre of gravity by up to 40 millimetres. The 750i and 750Li have a different lowering kit which is made of two chassis springs and a leveling kit.

HAMANN accessories are a given for this car. Some include aluminium foot pedals and foot rests with matching embroidered floor mats.

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

International model Martina Ivezaj has been named Miss Tuning 2009 during a competition at Tuning World Bodensee. The announcement was made on Sunday, during the final day of the Friedrichshafen, Germany, event.

As the winner of the contest, Ivezaj will pose in a photo session for Seat Ibiza. The shoot will take place on the British Virgin Islands, and will eventually be turned into a new calendar to promote the Ibiza.

The contest began with 350 lovely contestants, which was whittled down to 20 finalists. Ivezaj takes the crown over from Daniela Grimm, last year’s winner. Runners-up in the contest included models Leslie Braumann and Nina Zivkovic.

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

German-based tuner Steinmetz will introduce a new range of styling and performance accessories for the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer at Tuning World Bodensee 2009.

Like the standard Steinmetz Opel Insignia which was introduced at the Essen Motor Show in 2008, the new Steinmetz Insignia Sports Tourer offers an aggressive front spoiler, a blacked out grille, and a lowering kit which reduces the ride height by 25mm (about 1″). The sporty appearance is furthered by the addition of massive 20-inch ST7 wheels that are available in either polished black or white. Other accessories include a two-piece roof spoiler, bright exhaust tips, and Steinmetz floor mats.

In terms of performance, Steinmetz will offer a Klasen-Motors diesel performance upgrade package for the 2.0 CDTI engine. Consisting of an intercooler, 3-inch exhaust, sports catalyst and reprogrammed electronics, the package boosts the engine’s output from 220 hp (162 kW) to 295 hp (216 kW) and 420 Nm of torque.

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

Radically tuned cars and scantily clad women…shall we count you in?

And for the female car fans out there reaching out to their inner Michelle Rodriguez, there’s lots for you to see at the Tuning World Bodensee too. Unless, you are there to be crowned Miss Tuning, in which case, you need know nothing about cars.

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

In a move that further entrenches China as a force to be reckoned with in the automotive industry, Porsche unveiled the new Panamera four-door four-seat Gran Turismo at Auto Shanghai 2009. The Panamera is a car of almost five metres in length which is aimed at Porsche fans with extra space requirements but not at the sacrifice of performance.

Powering the Panamera is a range of engines that includes two V8s making 400bhp (298kW) with RWD and 500bhp (373kW) in AWD plus a V6. German dealerships will receive the Panamera on September 12 with a hybrid following some time later.

Some notable technological innovations fitted to the vehicle include an air suspension system with extra air volume available on demand in each damper and the first Start/Stop system that comes with an automatic transmission according to the press release. Attention was also paid to the weight of the car and its aerodynamic attributes so the best overall performance could be obtained out of it.

The Panamera becomes the fourth model in a Porsche range that already has the 911, the Cayman/Boxster and Cayenne on its menu.

“Introducing the Panamera,” said Klaus Berning, Executive Vice-President Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG, “we are entering a market segment completely new for our customers and we are once again consistently expanding our model portfolio.”

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

Wald International has officially introduced their new body package for the Nissan GT-R.  The Japanese tuner has not released any engine modifications, citing the “difficulty in tuning the GT-R’s engine.”

The company has created several carbon-fibre body parts to lighten the vehicle’s weight and make the car more aerodynamic.  They custom built a front-lip spoiler and nose cover, and rear wing.  Low-drag duct covers from another lightweight composite material are in place, while under the hood the cutomer will find a carbon-fibre engine cover.

Wald’s aero-kit comes in the glossy finish typically used for street cars, called wet carbon fibre, or a dull matte grey color, called dry carbon fibre.  The second choice is usually used on racers.  A wet carbon kit starts at 1,039,500 yen ($11,620), with the dry carbon kit going for about 2,362,500 ($26,410).  Prices include taxes.

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