If you’ve spent all your money on your motor and your mates are all in town knocking them back, don’t be disheartened because you’ll have your own very own base line all wired up and ready to impress. Here’s one recommendation that’ll tempt the girls to spend a night cruising with you; Max bass 2007 has 2 CD’s loaded with 50 heavy tunes mixed by the likes of The Wideboys and featuring Fedde Le Grand, Mason, Audio bullies and Prodigy. You’ve also got kick ass beats from The Streets, Ray Keith, Ms Dynamite, Alex Gaudino, Sticky, Artful Dodger, Eric Prydz, MJ Cole and many more. Check out The Ministry of Sound’s hottest new line-up at any good local music store.
Kia always promised it held the power of surprise and when we heard its latest plans we were very inclined to believe it. Apparently they’re launching a new range of ‘XR’ badged performance saloons and hatchbacks. Pictured here is a standard Kia with a mock-up styling kit which is thought to be very similar to how the new models will look. We’re also expecting Kia to branch in to turbo charging to attract more young customers in Europe , whereas the States are likely to get supercharged equivalents. This move was prompted by Kia’s new branding operation. The company hopes to almost double sales in Europe in just one year and the performance market is going to be a very important sub-sector for them.
It’s been five years since BMW first worked their magic on the iconic British marque. Now for 2006 there’s a new Mini on the scene which looks just as fresh and edgy as its predecessor. In fact, not much has changed in the styling stakes although they insist the panels are new. Under the bonnet is a choice of two new four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol engines. The Mini Cooper produces 120bhp and sprints from zero to 62mph in 9.1 seconds as well as having a top speed of 126mph. The Cooper S is even more of menace with its intercooled turbocharged version of the same engine. Its maximum bhp is 175, it has a top speed of 140mph and its 0-62mph dash only takes 7.1 seconds. The suspension has also been tweaked and the interior given a bit of style overhaul. The Cooper and Cooper S will be available towards the end of the year while the Mini One follows early in 2007. The Mini website has more details on its forthcoming models.
Amp’d Mobile in the US are proud to announce the 2006 Dub Magazine Custom Auto Show and Concert tour that they will be sponsoring. Custom car enthusiasts are invited to display their cars, get inspiration from others and browse the latest car accessories. There will also be live music from Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Chingy and Slim Thug. Other celebrities have been sighted in the audience; these include the Black Eyed Peas, Pharrel and Big Boi from Outkast. Keep your autograph books at the ready as Playboy model Vida Guerra and Actor come musician, Nick Cannon will both be giving signings. To view photos and videos from the tour as well as an events diary, view the Amp’d Mobile website. You’ll also get a chance to win a set of Dub Wheels and Performance Tyres worth $3,000 as well as mobile phones when you visit the site.
This August two brand new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR race cars were given the Spa treatment in Belgium in a testing 24 hour race. The racing sports cars are near standard and managed by Manthey Racing, they were entered in the Group 2 category where vehicles from national championships are eligible to compete. Next year (2007) Porsche customers will be able to race their 911 GT3 RSR’s at Spa as they have been approved to comply with the A.C.O (Automobile Club de l’Ouest), the FIA-GT and IMSA (International Motorsports Association) but are not road legal. For more details on regulations and entering a team, visit the motor sport section of Porsche’s website.
The Caterham name is commonly associated with thrills but outstanding fuel economy is not something you expect from a powerful sports car. Never the less a modified Caterham Seven Roadsport 1.6litre K Series has recently clocked up 131 miles to the gallon at the Shell Eco-Marathon at Rockingham. It was customised by Axon Automotive who specialise in carbon fibre constructions and supported by Energy-Efficient Motorsport (EEMS). The enhancements included more aerodynamic bodylines, new lightweight seating and narrow low rolling resistant tyres. As well as this economic driving techniques were employed to maximise power from every drop of fuel. The Caterham was the only model in the competition which was moulded from a road legal vehicle, the manufacturer wanted to prove that ‘careful driving and simple modifications to road legal vehicles can lead to significant fuel savings. For more details visit the Caterham website.
It’s no good boosting about your quarter mile in the car park or popping the hood in company if you’re never going to prove just how fast it can fly. Well if you were waiting for the perfect opportunity then wait no longer as the Car Tuner Grand Prix 2006 is almost here. On August 26th and 27th there’ll be the top car tuning companies running head to head and there’s still time to enter your car for the timed laps. Whether you’ve got a hot hatch, sports car, super mini or even an MPV, there’s categories for every class and you’ll be timed on everything from your 0-60 time to your 0-100, quarter mile and top speed. As well as this there’ll be the final of the UK drift championship, a trade show, passenger rides and plenty of talent to keep you intrigued. For more details, visit the website.
Switzerland may be thought of as a placid and somewhat purist nation but when they do indulge in the finer things in life they do it in style. Take this Nissan 350Z that the Geneva based company Xeigen has transformed, it looks super low with its new Formula basis aerodynamic bodykit that sweeps right down to the tarmac. The kit includes both the front and rear bumper as well as a set of side skirts. Coming soon will also be the light brows, rear wing, carbon fibre air diffuser and a range of other carbon fibre parts. For more details on Xeigen products or how to order this one, click on to their website.
Does motoring really get any better than this? Most people would give their right kidney to own an Enzo but if you’re going to get your ultimate supercar then why not go the extra mile and get it customised by Pininfarina themselves? The car you see pictured is worth a staggering $3 million dollars and is inspired by the 1960’s P4 racing car. It makes its world debut at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 20th so be sure to join the rush then.
Check out the new Q7 Wide body styled by JE DESIGN. The new front spoiler with its twin headlamps at either side and the diamond shaped valance for the quad exhausts. There’s no doubt you will clock this monstrous machine coming towards you, as it has a presence to thrill. Essentially the Audi Q7 is already a highly desirable car to be behind the wheel of not only for its animated drivability but also for its plush cabin design and equipment. The looks were pretty menacing as standard but now they are truly immense – good job guys.
New York based company Engineperformancetuning.com has cloned a whole army of machinery with the superchip gene. With performance gains of up to 25% more power and torque for turbo-charged cars and 10% for naturally aspirated models, it’s no wonder more and more enthusiasts are taking this route. Engineperformancetuning.com also guarantee that the long-term reliability of the engine will still be retained following a reprogramming operation. Other benefits include a more lively and responsive nature to your engine as well as a smooth and progressive surge of power.
Despite the Astra Twintop having just been launched, German Tuning Company Steinmetz has already got their hands on one and the result is rather special. Using a selection of aerodynamic components, interior upgrades and a 19” wheel and tyre combo the Astra has a more invigorating image. No longer a pretty, mainstream motor it is envied for its sharper and unique appeal. Rossiters in Norfolk are the official UK Steinmetz importer and have a range of accessories to enhance your Vauxhall model, whatever that may be.
Tech Art have long been known for taking an already beautiful piece of machinery and making it in to an art-form. Not only does it work its magic on the exterior but the engineering is also finely tweaked so each motor can realise its true potential. You may have gathered that the car pictured is no ordinary Cayman S by the insidious holes in its jawline, the side skirts and of course its over-sized spoiler. It’s true, you have to be eccentric to drive one because 385bhp and 407Nm of torque at 4,600rpm is a pretty lethal concoction for rush hour traffic. Take it to a track day on the other hand and its artistic lines will really show they’re value. Visit the techart website for full stats as well as details of other crazy creations.
