Here are a few snapshots of the Lexus IS F CCS (Circuit Club Sport) Concept car which was on display at the Tokyo auto salon this past weekend.

Dressed in a vibrant contrast of orange and black, the IS F CCS goes heavy on the carbon fiber. Or should we say “light”. Much of the body has been rendered so, including the roof, rear wing and diffuser, front spoiler lip, the hood as well as the side mirrors. The interior also gets a do-over in carbon fiber, such as the center and lower consoles, gear stick, steering wheel trim and door panels. The IS F CCS is also fitted with two-tone bucket seats.

The weight reduction helps boost the performance of this 5.0 liter V8 enabled Lexus. That engines produces 423 hp in its Japanese market iteration. Additional performance enhancement comes by way of forged magnesium wheels wrapped in performance tires, carbon brake disks, sports suspension and a sport exhaust system with a titanium muffler.

But weight and track time figures Lexus has not yet provide. Nor, for that matter, is there any news on what Lexus plans, if anything, to do in the future with this concept.

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When we last checked in with tuner firm, Concept802, they had just finished work on their Platinum S widebody upgrade kit for the Range Rover Sport. Following changes in the company’s structure, Concept802 is now Onyx Concept, and they have added a few new features to go with the conversion.

In additon to the widebody conversion, Onyx has added to the mix their 14-piece interior panel kit, A&D pillars, front grill and side vents all made from 100% solid carbon fiber, not overlay or laminated parts. Onyx has added a suspension lowering system, Onyx branded TPM 22-inch wheels available in a range of offsets to suit the widebody and standard cars, and perforated buffalo hide diamond stitched leather with a range of contrasting colors. Although no details were given, Onyx also offers power upgrades for diesel and petrol models.

For the near future, Onyx is working on their Platinum V conversion for the Range Rover Vogue. They were kind enough to provide a few renderings of the package. This new edition is expected to include a redesigned bodykit constructed mainly out of carbon fiber. The renderings show alterations to the front bumper, when compared to Platinum S. Gone will be the traditional fog lights in favor of LED strips. A carbon fibre grille matches the blacked-out double-spoke TPM custom wheels. Their renderings also appears to include redesigned rear bumper, dual exhaust instead of quad, and a new rear diffuser also made from carbon fiber.

Onyx Concept plans to make the Platinum V kit available for older Vogue Range Rovers, as well as the 2010 model year. The set-up should hit the market in mid-December, with delivery to their dealers in the Russian Federation, UAE, UK, and US.

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The 2009 SEMA Show will play host to the Toyota Tacoma TX Package Concept car developed to measure public interest in this type of vehicle. Toyota Racing Development (TRD) provided a number of the added accessories and body graphics.

The base was a 2010 Tacoma PreRunner SR5 with a 4.0-litre V6 DOHC 24V VVT-i engine making 174kW (236hp). The transmission is a 5-speed automatic. Some modifications include Bilstein 5100 Series shocks plated in cadmium, genuine Toyota lightweight aluminium tube steps with black finish, a TRD stainless steel cat-back exhaust system and TRD 16 X 7.5 off-road wheels inside BF Goodrich all-terrain T/A KO LT285/75X16 tyres. The young at heart will appreciate the TX Pro passenger side graphic design inspired by such high-energy events as organised by SCORE International and others.

Equipment already installed in the factory car includes fog lamps, chrome grille surrounds, colour-coded bumpers and a fibre-reinforced sheet molded composite (SMC) inner bed with steel outer panels. Passenger comfort creatures include cruise control, a leather steering wheel with audio controls and TRD floor mats.

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Suzuki is bringing a host of vehicles to the SEMA Show being held in Las Vegas next month.  Amongst the cars will be four different Suzuki Kizashi models, and a tuned version of the Equator pickup truck.

One of the versions was crafted by Road Race Motorsport.  Their Platinium Edition Kizashi has a black roof, custom graphics, new springs, and sway bars.  Also present is the Westside Auto Group’s model, the Kizashi Soleil.  It features a two-tone paint job, and new fenders, grille, and fascia.

Other companies involved are Delta Tech Engineering, Import Tuner, and ICON Vehicle Dynamics.  You can read about each car in the press release below.

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REITER Engineering presents the Murciélago Strada concept. The new REITER model, which follows closely in the footsteps of its older sibling, the REITER Murciélago R-GT, will be bringing all the GT racing technology it can muster to this street-prowling variant.

A heavy application of carbon fiber is used on the street-legal Murciélago Strada, on the front splitter, rear diffuser and rear wing. REITER engineers also provide the race suspension and brake-system, as well as the light-alloy wheels. Inside comes an Alcantara leather finish for the cockpit along with REITER-designed sport seats.

Optional is a roll-cage, also tempered by an Alcantara “soft-sleeve” finish, and a carbon-covered fire extinguisher, serving as a reminder of what kind of beast lingers beneath this beautiful facade.

REITER claims just the sound of the sport exhaust system will win over your heart. Of course, there is very little reason to doubt that it won’t.

As a side note, the FIA will be introducing a new GT1 racer at the 24h of Spa, which takes place later today July 25 in Belgium, based on the Lamborghini Murciélago SV (LP670-4), the fastest Lambo around. Dubbed the REITER LP670 R-SV REITER Engineering claims it meets all standards for the FIA GT World Championship for 2010.

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The 28th Wörthersee Tour in Austria kicks off on May 20 and ends on the 23rd. The show is a gathering of auto enthusiasts, including those who love the Audi brand. For the latter a special Audi Q5 will be showcased on the Audi stand.

Clad in massive 21-inch wheels with a 7 twin-spoke design, the vehicle is no ordinary Q5. Its track has been widened by 90mm (3.54 inches) while the ride height is 60mm (2.36 inches) lower. The exterior paint colour is called Daytona Gray. Some red paint applications were made on the rims, the roof rails, the front skirt and the rear spoiler. Other fittings include a panoramic roof and ceramic brakes.

There is an S4 connection to this Q5 in that the engine is the same supercharged 3.0 TFSI V6 that powers the S4. Power is not the same 246kW (334hp) though, it has been increased to a sports car-rivalling 300kW (408hp). Torque is 500Nm between 3,000rpm and 5,500rpm. Like a performance car this custom concept is said to whistle away from 0 – 100km/h in 4.4 seconds and top off at a governed 250km/h.

Some features and equipment include the rear view parking assistant camera, S Line sports seats, stainless steel-plated pedals and voice control.

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The Aston Martin One-77 that was revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show was not chassis number 1 but was actually a technical illustration of the car. Soon after the show, work began to craft the very first complete example by hand. The Concorso d’Eleganza event that takes place between 24 and 26 April on the shores of Lake Como in Italy is the venue where this fully-built concept car will make its world debut.

Everything will be showcased; from the actual 7.3-litre V12 engine to the interior design with its handmade parts and what Aston calls “exotic materials”. The company says it’s their “money-no-object commitment to quality” that will make the One-77 stand out from the crowd.

CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said: “This is a major step in One-77’s engineering programme, showing the first complete car, and will demonstrate new benchmarks in many different fields of automotive design.”

Aston Martin is placing a lot of emphasis on how amazing this car will be, on how it will shift the boundaries between art and automotive design. It is really the culmination of AM’s technological know-how, its craftsmanship and performance prowess.

Very few cars of any type that we can think of have had this much hype from their makers even before they were presented to the public. We hope the Aston Martin One-77 lives to match the ballyhoo.

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Rolls-Royce has revealed that the brand’s upcoming entry-level model, which has thus far only been referred to by its internal RR4 codename, will officially be called the “Ghost.” The classic nameplate draws to mind the original 7,876 Rolls-Royce Ghosts which were built between 1906 and 1925.

In a press conference at the Shanghai Motor Show, Rolls-Royce’s CEO, Tom Purves, said “We are delighted to formally announce the Rolls-Royce Ghost. It is one of the most revered names in the automotive industry, evoking images of adventure and technical innovation. The name reflects this new model’s breadth of abilities. The first cars to bear the Ghost name were known not only for impressive dependability and refinement but also great flair and style.”

Based on the recently launched 2010 BMW 760Li, the new Rolls-Royce Ghost boasts Phantom inspired styling in a smaller package that measures 5399mm (212.6 inches) in length, 3295mm (129.7 inches) in wheelbase, 1948mm (76.7 inches) in width, and 1550mm (61 inches) in height.

Power is expected to come from a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 engine which produces 400 kW (544 hp) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. The engine will be connected to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission which was specifically designed to provide maximum gearshift comfort and fuel efficiency.

The official unveiling of the Rolls-Royce Ghost is expected to occur at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with production scheduled to occur shortly thereafter.

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Well, here’s a scoop from the good folks at Auto Express.

BMW Group’s MINI (still a British brand, we are assured) has plans to develop a series of city cars which will be led by a flagship zero-emissions model with an advanced fully-electric powertrain.

Of course, it’s no surprise that MINI is planning on expanding its product line up. BMW’s intention was always to build MINI into a powerful brand with a broad product portfolio. And we have already seen the MINI E, a fully-electric version of the MINI.

Details are scant, but the (flagship) model is being developed by BMW in a partnership with Fiat that may also spell the return of the Topolino nameplate for Fiat and the Isetta title for a future BMW or MINI model. There will be both gasoline/petrol versions of the car(s) as well as electric ones with the gasoline engines mounted at the back. Electric versions may have “sandwiched” batteries underneath the cabin and run on electric motors placed at each wheel.

The flagship model is scheduled to debut in 2011, as BMW is rushing to meet the competition that is out there with the upcoming VW Up!, as well as a family of electric vehicles coming down the pike from Renault.

A concept version of the flagship electric MINI model is likely to make an appearance at the Frankfurt motor show later this year.

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A couple of years ago Volkswagen unveiled their shocking Golf GTI W12-650 Concept at the annual Wörthersee, Austria Golf owner’s meeting and now Dutch tuner Exclusive Tuning Worldwide has created a new body kit that is nearly a dead-ringer for the original.

Priced at an astounding 12,000 euro (about $15,550 USD) the body kit features a new front bumper with a huge air intake, massive side skirts, and 18-inch GTI wheels. At the back there is a new rear bumper, a revised hatch, and a working quad exhaust system.

Unfortunately the GTI concept’s 650PS 6.0-liter bi-turbo W12 engine isn’t part of the package, but the exterior styling can outfitted to any three-door Golf V. Available in any color combination an owner desires, the styling transformation takes 2-3 weeks and everything including the body kit, assembly and painting comes with a warranty from Worldwide Exclusive Tuning.

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