Subaru Planning Two Concepts of BRZ for Tokyo Auto Salon
As if you haven’t received enough news about Subaru and Toyota’s all-new rear-wheel sports coupe, the Japanese automakers just keep giving us even more. And now that Japan’s equivalent to SEMA, the Tokyo Auto Salon, is just around the corner in mid-January, it’s expected that each automaker will use the show to capitalize further on their new car’s popularity.Subaru has just announced that they’ll be bringing two BRZ concepts to the aftermarket performance event.
One of the cars will be the BRZ STI Concept that was first displayed at the LA Auto Show in November. The second car is the new BRZ Black Edition by PROVA, a Japanese tuning firm who’ve previously worked with Subaru by developing some of their race cars.Most importantly, however, Subaru will use the show to announce that its BRZ GT300 entries will be participating in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the Nurburgring 24 Hours next season.First photo is a rendered Subaru BRZ GT300.
Toyota Prius C Gets TRD Upgrade
In Japan it bears the name Aqua; beyond these far eastern shores it is known simply as the Prius C. Sitting at the base of the Prius family, the entry-level model has hit the home market showrooms and to coincide with this historic event, Toyota’s TRD racing and performance division has announced their intentions for the sub-compact hatchback.Their exterior package includes a new front apron with additional air vents & optional LED daytime running lights, a roof spoiler, matching side skirts and a rear apron with matte black diffuser.
Performance mods are limited to a sports exhaust system with a pair of chrome tailpipes, larger alloys and a suspension package with new springs and shocks, lowering the car’s ride height.A new TRD push-button start is the only interior change, although more styling accessories and performance enhancements are expected in the near future.The Prius C is expected to make its North American debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show.
Spied: Facelifted Mercedes-Benz G55 & G65 AMG
If these spy shots are anything to go by, it seems that Mercedes are readying their G Wagon AMG models for an upcoming auto show, hopefully Detroit.
Our spy photographers have just spotted two facelifted Mercedes-Benz G Wagon AMG models undergoing winter testing in Sweden, and we suspect one to be the G55 AMG and the other a G65 AMG.While the G55 AMG is relatively familiar with a seemingly less dramatic facelift, the G65 will be a very limited version featuring a biturbo V12 in that famous boxy body. Rumors abound that a limited series of 200 units will be priced at 250,000 Euros (approx. $325,000).
The G55 AMG is likely to get the new 5.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with around 525hp and 516lb-ft of torque, while its being speculated the limited run G65 AMG will receive the S65 AMG’s 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 engine capable of 612hp and 737lb-ft of torque.Whatever power output it ends up with, enjoying it at full speed will be a costly affair even if AMG promises lower fuel consumption than the current version.New side mirrors, a revised grille, and a new front bumper with integrated coolers are all apparent, although the G55 seems to have only one cooler where the G65 gets two, one on each side of the bumper.We can also expect some LED day driving lights integrated in the bottom of the headlight unit, which are yet to be mounted on the prototypes. The brakes also look updated on this monster and the wheels benefit from a new design.On the inside there’s a new instrument cluster, a new steering wheel and a sat nav screen atop the dash as seen on the new B-Class.The cars are likely to debut soon enough with Detroit in January or the Geneva Motor Show in March as possible destinations for their unveiling.
Photos: CarPix
One-Off Street-Legal Maserati MC12 Corsa on Sale for a Million Euros
One of the most exceptional beasts to have ever surfaced from Maserati’s stables is currently up for sale.The MC12 heralded Maserati’s return to the racing scene after a 37-year hiatus, developed from the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturer’s Cup-winning MC12 GT1. Only 50 of the 55 models built were made available to customers, making it far more exclusive than the Ferrari Enzo on which it was based; while only fifteen hardcore variants, the MC12 Corsa, were released in 2006 intended solely for racetrack use.
Three of these were produced for testing and publicity, and the remaining twelve sold to valued Maserati customers who were restricted to using it on track days as it wasn’t homologated for street use.However, this particular model, chassis #01, has been modified and certified for use on public roads. Its breathtaking beauty belies a monstrous 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 745hp, a top speed of 330kmh and the capacity to accelerate from 0-200kmh in just 6.4 seconds. Modifications include a catalytic convertor and silencer and an adapted fuel system for use with gas pumps.
The chassis has been raised to increase the car’s ground clearance and four wheel -lifting motors have been added to make speed humps a simple formality.Trimmed in Black Alcantara and user friendly, this black beauty will wipe the floor with a Bugatti and is arguably a better investment car than the McLaren F1. Anyone with a spare one million Euros should act fast and give this rare supercar a new home; it’s currently being offered at Mobile.de.
Prior Design Unveils PD500 Body Kit for Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
The German tuning outfit has added a sense of style and precision to the sedan. Prior Design has taken the relatively conservative design of the new E-Class and emphasized its latent sporting and power characteristics while improving the car’s aerodynamic properties with its new PD500 body kit.Their aim was to match the original sharp-edged styling of the sedan and create a more aggressive look. At the front there’s a new bumper with larger intakes that accommodates the stock LED running lights.
A pair of side skirts runs to the rear fender and a new rear bumper features a dual exhaust cutout. No performance or interior enhancements were made.Pricing for the body kit components has not been released.
Prior Design Unveils PD500 Body Kit for Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
The German tuning outfit has added a sense of style and precision to the sedan. Prior Design has taken the relatively conservative design of the new E-Class and emphasized its latent sporting and power characteristics while improving the car’s aerodynamic properties with its new PD500 body kit.Their aim was to match the original sharp-edged styling of the sedan and create a more aggressive look. At the front there’s a new bumper with larger intakes that accommodates the stock LED running lights.
A pair of side skirts runs to the rear fender and a new rear bumper features a dual exhaust cutout. No performance or interior enhancements were made.Pricing for the body kit components has not been released.
Romeo Ferraris Offers Porsche Owners Three New Exhausts
The renowned Italian tuning firm has come up with three new ways for Porsche owners to modify their exhaust systems.In fact Romeo Ferraris is providing a complete customization program, so that style, such as single and double outputs, and size can be altered upon request in order to create different sounds and notes.Porsche owners can also choose between stainless-steel and a Cargraphic-tuned titanium system by Akrapovic.
Drivers will be able to limit the discharge using adjustable electronic valves, while for the 911 Turbo a completely new system, 30% lighter than the standard exhaust, coupled with a sports air filter and a remapped ECU increases output by 70hp.
Fenice Milano’s Ferrari 360 Modena ‘Su Misura F101’ Package
A one-off package for an avid car collector isn’t new but is certainly worth a look. Following their extravagant 458 Italia, Rolls Royce Ghost and Fiat 500C tuning packages, the Italian tuners developed a project for the Ferrari 360 Modena, commissioned by a customer who wanted his aging 360 to have a modern overhaul.Carbon-fiber and fiberglass components were fitted both inside and out, including an all-new front bumper, side skirts and revised rear apron with a diffuser. As were smoked lights, tinted windows, black 20-inch forged aluminum alloys, and a quad-pipe stainless-steel sport exhaust system.
A suspension with totally adjustable shock absorbers and springs were also fitted. Tweaking the car’s weapons-grade V8 and a new ECU, coupled with the new lightweight body kit and enhanced aerodynamics resulted in a new top speed of 183mph and a 0-62mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds.On the inside, the passenger compartment gets a carbon roll bar and adjustable seats, while the dashboard has been integrated with a multimedia navigation center and satellite alarm.
Mercedes-Benz R230 SL by PP Exclusive
A slick new tuning program for the R230 SL is strictly aesthetic in nature. A series of modifications for the R230 SL has been unveiled by German tuners PP Exclusive.New 20-inch alloys feature in the pictures, although rims up to 23 inches are on offer. The arches have been appropriately widened by 25mm up front and 55mm at the rear. The car has been lowered by 10cm via an electronic suspension module, the controls for which are located on the steering wheel.
A cool feature is being able to check the current height status by accessing it on the instrument panel. A stainless-steel quad exhaust with oval-shaped pipes has also been added.On the inside, the driver and passenger seats have been finished in white Nappa leather with black stitching, and black Alcantara has been used on the sun visors and roof interior. The same material features on a new steering wheel that’s been lacquered in white.
Video: A New Lamborghini Aventador Leaves the Factory
New Cars Buzz 