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Hamann gives the BMW X6 M with more power, matte paint and… salmon skin?

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, BMW, Specialty

BMW Hamann X6 M

2011 Hamann Tycoon EVO M – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hamann has released the decidedly abrasive Tycoon EVO M, its take on the 2011 BMW X6 M. In typical Hamann fashion, everything about the car is completely beyond comprehension. First, Hamann added an entire herd of horsepower to the stock figure, kicking the total from an already absurd 550 to a stupefying 670. According to Hamannn, all that power translates into a 186-mile-per-hour top end.

Outside, the big Bimmer has been widened by 60 millimeters, taking it from huge to gargantuan. Its new-found size is set off by a carbon-accented matte-black paint scheme sitting atop 23-inch wheels at all four corners, also in matte black. The taillights, roof rack, hood, rear spoiler, antenna and exhaust surround all get the carbon fiber treatment.

Where things get truly insane is the interior, though, where Hamann has eschewed carbon fiber or aluminum trim in favor of Nanai Salmon Leather. Hamann says its as durable and luxurious as traditional interior leather, and carries the look and structure of salmon skin. In reality, it looks very similar to snake skin. Setting off the interesting trim choice is the usual litany of Alacantara-trimmed seats and quilted leather upholstery. Read the full details for yourself in the press blast after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Hamann Tycoon EVO M

2011 Hamann Tycoon EVO M front 2011 Hamann Tycoon EVO M rear 2011 Hamann Tycoon EVO M driver side 2011 Hamann Tycoon EVO M dash

[Source: Hamann]

Continue reading Hamann gives the BMW X6 M with more power, matte paint and… salmon skin?

Hamann gives the BMW X6 M with more power, matte paint and… salmon skin? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2011: No power upgrade for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe “for a little while”

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Hyundai

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Hyundai Genesis Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Hyundai Genesis sedan has just received an upgraded 3.8-liter V6 with 333 horsepower and 291 pound-feet, adding 43 more horses and 27 more pound-feet of torque to its accomplishments.

The Genesis Coupe, on the other hand, is playing with 306 hp, and according to Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor, that isn’t going to change soon. When we asked if the Genesis Coupe would get the new V6, he said “you won’t see any difference to the Genesis Coupe powertrain for a little while.” Trainor wouldn’t define what “a little while” meant, but he did say “you’ll probably see a similar strategy to the Genesis sedan,” suggesting that the Coupe will get a power bump when it gets facelifted, “probably next year.”

Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: First Drive

Chicago 2011: No power upgrade for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe “for a little while” originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Porsche mulling diesel power for U.S.

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche, Rumormill

2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel

2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi and Volkswagen are working hard to push diesel products in the United States and it seems as though their corporate cousins at Porsche may be ready to join them. Rumor has it that the German automaker is considering a pair of oil-burners for our shores.

Porsche already produces a diesel-drinking Cayenne for Europe and it’s been speculated that a Panamera diesel will appear on stage at the Geneva Motor Show. While the move will surely offend the Porsche purists in the States, it’s a safe bet that diesel options will help lower the automakers average fuel economy figures – a problem Porsche has been dealing with for years.

Gallery: Quick Drive: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Report: Porsche mulling diesel power for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage S packs more power, attitude

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S – Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin has found a way to turn up the heat on its V8 Vantage with a new S model. The coupe packs the same 4.7-liter V8 under the hood as its predecessors, though the mad scientists in Gaydon have managed to wrench a full 430 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque from the eight-pot. The engine is now bolted to a tweaked version of the company’s seven-speed SportShift II transmission with even shorter ratios than before and the combined effect should be more than enough to snap your neck in style.

The engineers also bolted in a quicker steering rack, huge rotors and six-piston calipers up front to ensure this machine can take whatever level of flogging you deem appropriate.

The design crew at AM specifically lifted cues from the even mightier V12 Vantage and the race-bred Vantage GT4. That means buyers can expect to find a carbon fiber splitter low on the front fascia and a pair of wildlife-swallowing inlets designed to feed those massive stoppers. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin V8 Vantage S packs more power, attitude

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S packs more power, attitude originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could Suzuki Kizashi get VW power?

Filed under: Sedan, Suzuki, Volkswagen

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS – Click above for high-res image gallery

When Volkswagen announced it was teaming up with Suzuki for some joint projects, initial talk centered around small cars for emerging markets and possibly even a spate of two-wheeled ventures. Now, the rumormill is buzzing with speculation that the Japanese automaker might be interested in securing some of Volkswagen’s well-regarded powerplants for its midsize Kizashi sedan.

Prior to its tie-up with VW, Suzuki had enjoyed a partnership with General Motors that had the Japanese automaker using The General’s engines and transmissions. Those contracts died off after the VW deal, and, according to Ward’s, it now appears that any future engines for the Kizashi beyond the 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder (185 horsepower and 170 lb-feet of torque) will be sourced from Volkswagen.

Currently, there’s no indication what powertrains Suzuki is interested in procuring from Volkswagen, but we’d have to guess that a V6 or possibly even a hybrid would be on the menu, if possible.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS

[Source: Ward’s Automotive]

Could Suzuki Kizashi get VW power? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder trying catch up to 99 units with ZR1 power?

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Spyker, Rumormill

2010 Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from Spyker that didn’t have to do with its acquisition of Saab. The Dutch automaker has apparently had its hands full taking the reins in Trollhattan from General Motors – so busy in fact that it has apparently missed production targets. Like with the new C8 Aileron Spyder.

The convertible version of the stretched and updated C8 debuted about a year and a half ago in Pebble Beach, and was supposed to enter production in the first half of 2010. Well, 2010 has come and gone and apparently production still hasn’t started. But we do have some news.

According to reports from the company’s native Netherlands, Spyker is planning on keeping the C8 Aileron Spyder very exclusive, with a production run of just 99 units. That’s a mighty limited edition, but there’s more: according to the same report quoting CEO Victor Muller, Spyker will be ditching the Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 for the 6.2-liter supercharged LS9 from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

Considering that, at 638 hp, the LS9 produces over 50% more power than the 400-horse Audi mill, the commensurate drop in the previously estimated 4.5-second sprint to 60 should be well worth the work involved in turning the blown eight around and mounting it in the middle of the Spyker. Either that, or this could all amount to nothing – but the notion that the door between GM and Spyker could be swinging both ways is certainly intriguing.

Gallery: Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder

[Source: GTSpirit.com]

Report: Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder trying catch up to 99 units with ZR1 power? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Dodge Charger R/T and Challenger SRT8 392 make more power than expected

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Dodge Charger R/T and Challenger SRT8 392

2011 Dodge Charger R/T and Challenger SRT8 392 – Click above to watch the video after the break

As part of its Hemi Highway Tour, a country-wide tour that started in November of 2010 and just recently came to its end, Dodge decided to stop and spend some quality time with the boys and girls from National Speed in Wilmington, NC. Though that company’s main purpose is modifying high-performance machinery to make even more power, Dodge decided to put a couple of its brand new 2011 models on their dyno to see what kind of power could be had right off the showroom floor.

As a preface to the actual dyno results, you should know that Ralph Gilles, Dodge Car Brand President and CEO, claims that a bone-stock 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 ran the quarter-mile at Infineon Dragway in just 12.44 seconds at 110 miles per hour. That, boys and girls, is seriously fast. And those figures are backed up by the data spat out by the computers hooked to National Speed’s dyno.

Without further ado, the numbers: The 2011 Dodge Charger R/T put down 327 horsepower at the rear wheels and 349 pound-feet of torque. For a car rated at 368 horses and 395 lb-ft, that’s quite good. Remember, the dyno measures power after it’s already gone through the transmission and through the wheels to the ground, which saps around 15 percent of total power.

And now on to the big guns. The 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 was measured at 420 rear-wheel horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque. Also impressive when stacked up against its factory ratings of 470 ponies and pound-feet. Even more interesting, these same machines put down ever more power just a few days later on a different dyno, though still below the 452 horses obtained by the scribes at Inside Line. Enough talking already. Check out the video after the break. Thanks for the tip, Norm!

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392: First Drive

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

[Source: Red Letter Dodge]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Dodge Charger R/T and Challenger SRT8 392 make more power than expected

Video: 2011 Dodge Charger R/T and Challenger SRT8 392 make more power than expected originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mulally tops Motor Trend Power List for 2011

Filed under: Etc., Ford

Alan Mulally, Ford CEO

Motor Trend has compiled and released its annual Power List. This is the seventh year in which MT ranks the names of heaviest hitting personalities in the automotive industry. They’re all ranked in order of just how much juice they hold, and sitting at the top of this year’s list is Alan Mulally.

Ford’s CEO was previously ranked No. 10 in 2009 and rose to No. 2 last year, but this year, MT has him sitting in the pole position. Their argument? Mulally has moved Ford into a place of profitability as well as quality in both design and engineering. In the magazine’s words, “every Ford competitor needs a leader like Alan Mulally.”

Ford didn’t just see a win with Mulally earning the top honor. The automaker saw 10 of its employees in total make the 2011 Power List. General Motors is right behind them with nine folks earning recognition. After those two, the nearest competitor is Volkswagen with six people spread out across VW, Audi and Porsche.

The last few years have seen a flip-flopping trend between domestic and import bosses rising to the top spot on the power list. The 2010 edition saw VW’s Ferdinand Piëch as the numero uno automotive player and he’s still strong for 2011 with a fall of just one spot to claim the number two position. In 2009, Rick Wagoner was number one before free-falling off the list, and in 2008, Takeo Fukui of Honda sat at the Power List peak.

It’s not just team leaders like Mulally and Piëch who make the annual Power List. Well-regarded Hyundai USA CEO John Krafcik checks in at No. 10, five spots down from his boss, Chung Mong Koo, Hyundai’s global chairman. Peter Schreyer, head of design for Kia is ranked 13th overall and climbed way up from last year’s rank of 44th. Doug Parks is GM’s vehicle line executive for the Chevrolet Volt, and making sure that car arrived on time and in impressive fashion has landed him in the No. 20 spot.

You don’t even need to work for an automaker to make the list because Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson is ranked the 49th most powerful automotive figure… in the world.

The top 10 are as follows:
1. Alan Mulally (CEO, Ford)
2. Ferdinand Piëch (Chairman of Supervisory Board, Volkswagen AG)
3. Carlos Ghosn (President/CEO, Nissan/Renault)
4. Martin Winterkorn (Chairman of the Board of Management, Volkswagen AG)
5. Chung Mong Koo (Chairman, Hyundai)
6. Mark Reuss (President, GM North America & Vice President, GM)
7. Lewis Booth (CFO, Ford)
8. Derrick Kuzak (Group VP Product Development, Ford)
9. Sergio Marchionne (CEO, Fiat/Chrysler)
10. John Krafcik (Hyundai USA, CEO)

Head on over to Motor Trend to read about all 50 players on their 2011 Power List, and then stop by the comments to leave your two-cents about what you think of the list.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Mulally tops Motor Trend Power List for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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J.D. Power: Styling biggest reason people reject Acura

Filed under: Car Buying, Acura, Design/Style, Luxury

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD at sunset

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s no secret that the corporate schnoz adopted in recent years by Acura is, shall we say… controversial. But whether or not it’s helping or hurting sales is up for debate. On one hand, the brand’s 24-percent increase in sales in 2010 over the previous year has Honda’s luxury division outpacing the gains of its rivals. On the other hand, nearly everyone’s 2009 sales figures went down the economic toilet, and J.D. Power reports that exterior styling is the number one reason new car shoppers are rejecting the marque, followed closely by Acura’s interior styling.

Perhaps tellingly, Acura’s two most successful models in sales gains are the MDX and RDX utility vehicles, models competing in burgeoning segments (and the former of which features a somewhat muted faces compared to the rest of the company’s lineup). But hope may be on the way, and soon. According to Automotive News, Dave Conant, who owns an Acura store in Mission Viejo, California and has gotten an early look at the next-gen TL, Acura’s middle child is getting a major nose job.

And more new models are reportedly on the horizon as well, including hybrids and a likely return to the entry-level compact luxury class. What’s more, the automaker has promised dealers that future models will be better differentiated from one another, both styling-wise and in size. All that sounds good, just so long as no giant polished cow-catcher grilles get in the way.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD 6MT

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

J.D. Power: Styling biggest reason people reject Acura originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Formula One goes with 1.6-litre four-cylinder power

Filed under: Motorsports, Racing

BMW M12 F1 Engine

Soon we can all say goodbye to the high-revving V8s currently shrieking their way around the world’s Formula One circuits. F1 has officially enacted new rules that require all teams to run a new turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine design by 2013. In addition, the maximum engine speed will be reduced from the current 18,000 rpm to a maximum of 12,000 rpm.

All told, the changes are expected to allow the vehicles to use around 35 percent less fuel than the outgoing eight-pots, even while churning out very similar power numbers. While neither the FIA nor F1 organizers are willing to throw out any solid numbers, there is word that the engines will use high-pressure gasoline injectors that can dump fuel into the combustion chamber at up to 7,251 psi.

Atomization? Yeah, it looks like they’ve got that covered.

Interestingly enough, F1 is also moving to limit the number of engines (again) that a team can use during a season. Right now, the rules allow for a stable of eight engines, though by 2013, that number will drop to five before falling to four soon after. That would mean on top of nabbing better fuel economy and yielding high power, the new lumps will need to be stout enough to take the abuse of multiple races without popping. Here’s to the future. Thanks for the tip, Franz!

[Source: Formula 1]

Officially Official: Formula One goes with 1.6-litre four-cylinder power originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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