Report: Corvette Z06 to be renamed Z07, come with twin-turbo V8?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Luxury

According to a report in Car and Driver, the new C7 Corvette version of the Corvette Z06 will pick up practically where the ZR1 left off. First, they predict it will graduate to being called the Z07; if so, it will be the next General Motors Regular Production Code (RPO), like Z28 and, yes, Z06, to become a model name.

And if you thought a hybrid Corvette was a sharp point of discussion, how about a production version of the small-block V8 with a displacement of “significantly less than 6.2 liters” aided by twin-turbos? That’s what CD believes will rest under the hood of the Z07, citing the ever-present concern for fuel economy and the fact that bitumen burners from Cadillac have given up supercharging for turbocharging. The horsepower number is predicted to be an even 600, which would be a 95-hp jump over the current Z06 and just 38 less than the late, great ZR1. Helping to keep control of all that truculent muscle will be larger tires encircling carbon-ceramic stoppers, but CD is mum on other specific changes.

The mooted price: $100,000. This might be the most fabulous new spec of all, seeing as it would represent a $24,400 increase over the Z06 and just a $12,600 undercut of the ZR1. Compare and contrast: in 2001, the first year of the Z06, the MSRP of a 350-hp Corvette coupe was $40,725, the MSRP of the 385-horsepower Z06 was $48,500; if CD is correct, the 2014 Corvette’s sea level will be established by the 455-hp Stingray that costs $51,995 and in 2015 we’ll be staring down the twin, forced-induction barrels of a 600-hp, twin-turbo Z07 that starts at six figures and that could still be leaving room for a new ZR1 late in the model’s lifetime.

Corvette Z06 to be renamed Z07, come with twin-turbo V8? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Sep 2013 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Corvette Z06 to be renamed Z07, come with twin-turbo V8?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Luxury

According to a report in Car and Driver, the new C7 Corvette version of the Corvette Z06 will pick up practically where the ZR1 left off. First, they predict it will graduate to being called the Z07; if so, it will be the next General Motors Regular Production Code (RPO), like Z28 and, yes, Z06, to become a model name.

And if you thought a hybrid Corvette was a sharp point of discussion, how about a production version of the small-block V8 with a displacement of “significantly less than 6.2 liters” aided by twin-turbos? That’s what CD believes will rest under the hood of the Z07, citing the ever-present concern for fuel economy and the fact that bitumen burners from Cadillac have given up supercharging for turbocharging. The horsepower number is predicted to be an even 600, which would be a 95-hp jump over the current Z06 and just 38 less than the late, great ZR1. Helping to keep control of all that truculent muscle will be larger tires encircling carbon-ceramic stoppers, but CD is mum on other specific changes.

The mooted price: $100,000. This might be the most fabulous new spec of all, seeing as it would represent a $24,400 increase over the Z06 and just a $12,600 undercut of the ZR1. Compare and contrast: in 2001, the first year of the Z06, the MSRP of a 350-hp Corvette coupe was $40,725, the MSRP of the 385-horsepower Z06 was $48,500; if CD is correct, the 2014 Corvette’s sea level will be established by the 455-hp Stingray that costs $51,995 and in 2015 we’ll be staring down the twin, forced-induction barrels of a 600-hp, twin-turbo Z07 that starts at six figures and that could still be leaving room for a new ZR1 late in the model’s lifetime.

Corvette Z06 to be renamed Z07, come with twin-turbo V8? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Sep 2013 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Watch and hear Renault’s awesome Twin’Run driven in anger

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Renault

We’re a little tardy in getting to this, but the engine notes will make up for the delay. When Renault revealed the Twin’Run concept at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix earlier this Summer, it didn’t reveal much of the engine note. This was an appalling shame, since the not-road-legal Renault 5 revival had a mid-mounted, race-tuned Nissan V6 that could soar to a practically unsilenced 7,000 rpm.

A few members of the auto journo cabal have corrected that, Top Gear being one of them by including the Twin’Run in its Speed Week festivities. Calling it “deafening, smelly, brilliant,” the verdict of Sam Phillip was that it “makes every car on Top Gear’s Speed Week… feel as woolly and distant as a tumble-dried sheep.” Them’s pointed words when “every other car” includes metal like the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series.

You’ll can check out Top Gear‘s run around the Charade Circuit in France below. We’ve also included a longer clip of the Twin’Run doing some dynamic testing (worth it for the 360-degree-stunt alone), and an in-depth piece from Autoweek Holland.

Continue reading Watch and hear Renault’s awesome Twin’Run driven in anger

Watch and hear Renault’s awesome Twin’Run driven in anger originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Aug 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz to shoehorn twin-turbo V12 into the G-Wagen for 612-hp G65 AMG?

Brabus G V12 S Biturbo

Brabus G V12 S Biturbo – Click above for high-resolution image gallery

After over three decades of production, the big boxy Mercedes-Benz G-Class is not long for this world. (At least, not in three-door, short-wheelbase form.) But while a Final Edition is already being offered in Europe, you didn’t think that Mercedes would leave it down to some extra chrome to bid auf weidersehen to its long-serving, all-conquering workhorse, did you? Of course not. At least, not if the boffins at AMG have anything to say about it, and if these rumors prove true.

The word circulating these interwebs is that AMG is planning to shoehorn in the twin-turbo V12 from the S65 AMG into the G-Wagen’s engine bay for a monstrous twelve-cylinder rolling barn with 612 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of twist.

That’s a lot of power no matter which way you look at it, but we already know it can be done. AMG is said to have produced a few such G-12s for custom order, as has its closely related tuning house Brabus (the result of which is pictured above). Would Affalterbach be able to find enough customers to officially offer such a vehicle? Go deep enough into Asian markets like Russia and the Gulf emirates and you just might find out.

Mercedes-Benz to shoehorn twin-turbo V12 into the G-Wagen for 612-hp G65 AMG? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class getting upgraded V6, twin-turbo V8

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The hardcore Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG isn’t the only E-Class model that gets a new heart for the 2012 model year. According to our sources within Mercedes-Benz, both the E350 and E550 models will receive new powerplants currently found elsewhere in the automaker’s lineup.

The base E350 will now be powered by the automaker’s new 3.5-liter V6 with direct-injection, an engine that we recently tested in the C350 sedan and SLK350 roadster. Rated at 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, the new engine provides power increases of 14 hp and 15 lb-ft over the current V6, while the use of direct-injection and a seven-speed automatic transmission will no doubt return improved fuel economy.

Moving along, the eight-cylinder E550 will ditch its naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 in favor of a twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter unit with direct-injection, currently found in the CL550 coupe. In the E-Class, this engine will be good for 402 hp and 443 lb-ft – improvements of 20 and 52, respectively.

Look for the refreshed E-Class range to debut this Fall.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class getting upgraded V6, twin-turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac ATS-V to pack twin-turbo V6 power

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, Rumormill

Cadillac ATS spy shots

Cadillac ATS spy shots – Click above for high res-image gallery

When we heard Cadillac was mulling up a V-Series variant of the upcoming ATS, we were really hoping for LSA V8 power. But if Car and Driver sources are correct, we may not be so lucky. Those sources claim the upcoming entry-level performance Caddy will boast a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with around 380 horsepower. That should be more than enough juice to push the performance ATS to 60 in under five seconds, while also saving a bit of fuel compared to a supercharged V8.

Cadillac is targeting the BMW M3 with its new ATS-V, and the folks in Munich have already confirmed that the next-gen M car will also have turbocharged, six-cylinder power.

C/D opines that an uber-ATS could also be in the works, LSA power and all. While far from a sure thing, a supercharged V8-packing ATS would no doubt serve notice to the world of entry lux models that Team Cadillac is playing to win. Still, a twin-turbo V6 ATS could still be an ass-kicking marvel of considerable proportions. 380 horsepower could indeed be an underestimation, in part since no V variant has ever featured less than 400 horsepower. We’d further add that any Cadillac V-Series model should be able to best a $28,000 Mustang GT, but that’s just our opinion.

Cadillac ATS-V to pack twin-turbo V6 power originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Veritas twin-turbo coupe still on the drawing board

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, MISC

Veritas coupe CAD renderingIn Vino Veritas, the old Latin saying goes, “In wine is truth.” But what about CAD renderings? That’s what Aussie auto website CarAdvice got a glimpse at while touring the headquarters of German niche carmaker Veritas.

The engineering trust formed the collective brain behind the Veritas RSIII, a radical retro roadster powered by BMW’s celebrated V10 engine, and has long been rumored to be following up with a coupe to join it. And the design, at least, for that model appears to be coming along nicely.

Since the M5’s V10 has now been discontinued, Veritas has, like Wiesmann, had to work around its replacement: the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that powers the X5 M and X6 M and which will drive the new M5, as well. Since the turbo-eight reportedly requires a lot more cooling than the ten-pot it replaces, the design’s aerodynamics had to be thoroughly rethought.

That’s about all there is at present, but we’ll expect to hear more as the project progresses. In the meantime, head over to CarAdvice for a closer look.

Veritas twin-turbo coupe still on the drawing board originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG gets a twin-turbo heart transplant

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG has been unwrapped at the New York Auto Show having gained a new, more economical lease on life thanks to the brand’s 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8. For 2012, Mercedes-Benz is offering the mill in two levels of crazy, with either 518 horsepower in the regular E63, or 550 if you opt for the AMG sport package. That much grunt shuffles the standard car to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds on to a top speed of 155 mph, or 4.3 seconds and 186 mph if you drop the extra coin for the sport pack.

Like its kissing but shapelier cousin, the CLS63 AMG, the 5.5-liter engine channels its substantial resources through AMG’s Speedshift MCT seven-speed transmission. We’ve sampled and enjoyed the unusual gearbox before, and this one also has a “Controlled Efficiency” mode, which is Mercedes-speak for a stop-start function.

Despite the looney power and performance figures, Mercedes says its big sedan is 22 percent more efficient than last year’s model, thanks to the new powerplant. To help keep things green(ish), the new heart sports spray-guided direct injection thanks to a set of piezo injectors. Mercedes has even gone so far as to develop an eco-friendly power steering setup which saves fuel by only drawing power when the wheel is being turned.

Inside, the car gets a new sports steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles and flat top and bottom sections. For those who go with the AMG sport package, the wheel is trimmed in Alcantara for the last word in racy luxury.

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading New York 2011: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG gets a twin-turbo heart transplant

New York 2011: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG gets a twin-turbo heart transplant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hennessey beats 2011 Nissan GT-R again, this time with twin-turbo Escalade

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, SUV, Videos, Cadillac, Nissan, Luxury

Hennessey HPE1000 vs 2011 Nissan GT-R

Hennessey HPE1000 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2011 Nissan GT-R – Click above to watch video after the jump

The problem with being the standard-bearer for world-class performance is that you’re saddled with the burden of defending your crown at every turn. Take the 2011 Nissan GT-R, for example. This vehicle has the proud distinction of offering one of the highest performance-per-dollar ratios of any car on the planet, and as such, it’s the go-to challenger for any high-horsepower machine looking to make a name for itself.

Those would-be stars are typically low-slung tuner creations, but the team from Hennessey chose to line the big-bad Nissan up against something a little less traditional: its HPE1000 Cadillac Escalade. Whereas the 485-horsepower 2011 GT-R can dash to 60 mph in as little as 3.4 seconds, the big SUV packs two turbos, over 1,000 horsepower and 0-60 sprint of 3.3 seconds.

To be fair, the Godzilla in the video after the jump isn’t the new-and-improved 2012 model (stop us if you’ve heard this one before…), and the Caddy gets a massive jump on the Nissan, but the fact that a 6,000-pound SUV can manage to keep up with anything from the GT-R bloodline is an impressive enough feat. Click past the jump to check it out for yourself, and remember to keep your fender-to-fender shenanigans off the street.

[Source: Hennessey via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Hennessey beats 2011 Nissan GT-R again, this time with twin-turbo Escalade

Video: Hennessey beats 2011 Nissan GT-R again, this time with twin-turbo Escalade originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10 pipes up

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi

heffner twin-turbo audi r8 v10

Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10 – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s hard to argue with the potency of the Audi R8 5.2 FSI. With it’s 525-horsepower V10 mounted amidships, the Gallardo-based engine is more than enough motivation for mere mortals. However, some folks out there felt slighted by the fact that Audi detuned the Lamborghini-sourced mill for four-ringed application. Enter the folks at Heffner Performance who decieded to rectify the situation by sticking two massive Garrett turbochargers into the R8’s rear-end.

The result? A 725-horsepower twin-turbocharged Teutonic terror that runs from zero to Ludicrous Speed faster than Spaceball One. Oh, and those 725 ponies are measured at the wheels.

Check out Heffner’s work in the gallery below and click past the jump to get a taste of the boosted R8 in action.

Gallery: Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10

Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10

[Source: Heffner Performance]

Continue reading Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10 pipes up

Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10 pipes up originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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