BMW X6 by Hartge-Blend of high-performance street machine

When it comes to BMW cars, i always get excited to write for in this blog.Especially BMW X6 model, one of my favorites.The great driving performance and dynamic driving BMW6 is such an enormous in automotive industry.BMW X6 has a limits for such a powerful vehicle at 220 g/km. Indeed, the X6 xDrive35d from HARTGE uses half a litre less diesel per 100 kilometres than its series counterpart under comparable conditions. Equally impressive are the performance figures. Despite a weight of 2,185 kg, the X6 takes only six seconds to reach 100 km/h and is thus significantly quicker off the mark than the standard xDrive35d (6.9 sec.). The maximum speed - there is no electronic limiter on the HARTGE model - has been measured at 256 km/h.

The BMW tuners Hartge from Germany’s Saarland region have modified a diesel variant of the German Automaker latest Sports Activity Vehicle. The Hartge BMW X6 is a blend of high-performance street machine and crossover workhorse. The output of the straight 6 has been boosted to produce 328 HP and almost 500 lb-ft of torque while consuming less fuel. The body has also been widened to accommodate the addition of 22 inch rims.

2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe GXP

The 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe GXP is going to be a lot like classic sports cars, but with a more modern look of course. The Solstice is created for the driver who absolutely loves great styling and a balanced performance. It was released at the 2008 New York Auto Show. They don’t expect to start production on this vehicle until sometime in 2008 and they say not to expect these Coupes in the Pontiac dealers until early 2009.

The Solstice is based on the convertible, and now they have designed it to perform in all weather and terrain. There is still an adjustable roof panel which opens up the roof and roadway to the driver and passengers of this luxury vehicle. The Solstice is the top selling roadster in the US right now and with this new release, it looks to further itself in the front of the pack.

This coupe comes with a 2.4L with 173HP as well as the GXP hoontastic 260HP 2.0L turbo mill. The Solstice will be sold for roughly $30,000 a piece and they look to sell out at that price. The official price hasn’t been determined yet, and one major setback is that the Solstice may not have any trunk space whatsoever. The release of this vehicle at the Auto Show was huge and it was even accompanied by 50 Cent, which must be great exposure for a car.

The Pontiac Solstice has been being hyped up for a little while now and a lot of people sure can’t wait for the actual release of this car to the general public. It will be in a reasonable price range and most people will be able to purchase this one for their collection. It’s a great collection piece for any sports enthusiast and I expect to see quite a few of these on the roads come 2009.

Corvette ZR1

Feel free to read that headline as many times as necessary, but yes, it's true: Clarkson-san wrote "Out of nowhere, my car of the year," the Corvette ZR1. The man who pooped on the spearhead of electric cars has given an American high horsepower pushrod V8 the gold and glory. And this is after comparing the ZR1's predecessors to Big Macs: "Cheap, plastic and at the right time, and in the right place, sort of just what you want."

Not only that, but to put the ZR1 on its pedestal, Clarkson went so far as to remove the Caterham 500 he had previously placed there. On the show, he said that the Caterham was the best of the year, but in his article writes, "However, if you broaden the search engine and look simply for the best car of the year, the Caterham isn't in with a shout because it's ugly and geeky and I wouldn't have one even if the option was the loss of my right testicle."

And so the ZR1 reigns, even though "it's not built very well." In Clarkson's words, it is "both docile and extraordinarily savage," looks good, goes fast in a straight line and around corners, "most of the time bumbles about like a forgetful uncle," and costs "lots for a Corvette" but is a bargain for the performance. His only lament about the car was this: "unless the healthcare and pensions company that makes it can be turned around, it will be the last of the breed." The ZR1 - winning hearts and minds... Hat tip to Pdexter!

Nissan GT-R named Car of the Year by Automobile Mag

Nissan has hit a major home run with its latest Skyline, known as the GT-R here in the States. In fact, the car was knocked so far out of the park that it seems an obvious choice for anyone's Car of the Year. Nissan's latest supercar boasts enough performance to take on the best from the rest of the world regardless of price, making it an amazing value despite costing upwards of $80,000. As such, the new GT-R has been awarded the Car of the Year trophy from Automobile Mag. Who are we to argue?

Other winners of Automobile's year-end awards include Audi's stunning A5 coupe, which takes the award for Design of the Year, though it seems it feels like the A5's already been around for more than a year. Man of the Year goes to Honda's CEO, Takeo Fuki, who's company is now reaping the rewards for staying true to its initial vision of rational, fuel efficient designs after all these years. It's pretty hard to take exception with these choices, though 2009, which is right around the corner, is shaping up to be the year of fuel efficiency. Follow the jump for Automobile Mag's official press release, which has a few extra award winners we didn't mention.

Special series Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M

Ferrari has chosen to unveil the new Scuderia Spider 16M at the World Finals in Mugello in celebration of its recent victory in the Formula 1 Constructor’s World Championship 2008.
This new high performance sports car features the very best of Ferrari’s latest mid-rear-engined 8-cylinder technology. In fact, the Scuderia Spider 16M is faster round the Fiorano circuit than any other Prancing Horse open-top road car yet built. This truly evocative special series model, of which just 499 unique examples will be produced, is aimed at the most passionate clients, drivers who demand both exclusivity and superb driving pleasure.

The Scuderia Spider 16M is available in a choice of two new signature colour schemes: the standard version is black with grey trim, while a tricolour livery is also available as part of the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Personalisation Programme. The new car also sports a special plaque on its rear grille commemorating Ferrari’s 16th Constructor’s World title. The exclusivity of the interior is underscored by the silver “limited series” plaque just above the air vents at the centre of the dashboard. Other exclusive features include a roll-bar with carbon-fibre outer shell and a specific new generation audio system that can be combined with the removable customised Ferrari iPod Touch 16 GB with central dock just in front of the dashboard.

From a technical point of view, this car has a dry weight of 1340 Kg (80 kg lighter than the F430 Spider). This, combined with the 510 hp provided by its V8 engine and a power-to-weight ratio of 2.6 kg/hp, means that it delivers blistering 0-100 kph acceleration in just 3.7 seconds and a superb top speed of 315 kph.

SCUDERIA SPIDER 16M - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Engine

* Naturally aspirated mid-rear 90° V8, 4308 cc
* Maximum power output 375.4 kW (510 hp) at 8500 rpm
* Maximum torque 470 Nm (47.7 Kgm) at 5250 rpm
* Max engine speed 8640 rpm (at limiter)
* Compression ratio 11.9:1
* Bore and Stroke 92 mm X 81 mm
* Specific power output 118.4 hp/litre

Transmission

* Six-speed plus Reverse F1 gearbox
* Dry dual clutch
* Electronic differential E-diff + F1-Trac
* Oil gearbox lubrication with oil/water heat exchanger

Performance, fuel consumption, emissions

* Acceleration 0-100 km/h 3.7 s
* Maximum speed 315 kph
* Drive weight/power 2.6 kg/hp
* Fuel consumption 15.7 l/100 km (combined ECE)
* CO2 emissions 360 g/km (combined ECE)

Chassis and bodywork

* Car dimensions:
o Length 4512 mm
o Width 1923 mm
o Height 1216 mm
o Wheelbase 2600 mm
o Front track 1669 mm
o Rear track 1616 mm
* Dry weight * 1340 kg (-80 kg vs F430 Spider)
* Kerb weight * 1440 kg
* Weight distribution 43% front, 57% rear
* Fuel tank capacity 95 litres
* Independent front and rear forged aluminium double wishbone suspensions, titanium helical springs, hollow anti-roll bars and lighter electronic shocks
* 398mm X 36mm carbon-ceramic material front brake discs with aluminium 6-pot callipers
* 350mm X 34mm carbon-ceramic material rear disc brakes with aluminium 6-pot callipers
* 19” five-spoke split rims front and rear
* Tyres: 235/35 front and 285/35 rear; Fabbrica Pirelli PZero Corsa only

Electronic control systems

* CST Stability and Traction Control System. Steering wheel-mounted manettino with five settings to integrate the F1 gearbox, CST and F1-Trac (Stability and Traction Control System), suspension control.

Source: Ferrari

Olympic champion Usain Bolt behind the wheel of F430 Spider

Usain Bolt, 100 and 200m Olympic Champion at Beijing 2008, fulfilled his dream driving a F430 Spider at Monte Carlo, on a section of the Formula One city circuit.

Bolt is at Monaco for the World Athletics Gala, promoted by the IAAF, the International Association of Athletics Federations, where he will receive the "Athlete of the Year" award.

Audi R8 V10 debuting in Detroit, cabrio coming in 2010

While other automakers are dropping out of the Detroit Auto Show left and right, Audi is heading to Motor City with guns blazing, beginning with the 2010 Audi R8 V10.

Car and Driver decided to put the rumors to rest that the updated super coupe is officially coming to Detroit, packing a 5.2-liter V10 putting out 520 hp and 398 lb.-ft. of torque. Aside from the obvious aural and performance differences, the V10-powered R8 will make use of a pair of larger dual exhaust tips rather than the V8 model's quad outlets. Expect new wheels, upgraded brakes and a few changes to the interior as well.

The oft-rumored Audi R8 Spyder will hit the European market in late 2009, with sales beginning in the U.S. sometime in 2011. According to C&D, the reason for the delayed Stateside launch is due to dealers that "have their hands full allocating coupes." Whatever that means. The R8's stylistic party pieces – it's side blades – will be shrunken down to accommodate a power-operated soft top, and the interior will carry over unchanged.

We've got more Audi goodness for you at 6 PM EST tonight, so check back in a few hours for a sneak peak of the four-ringer's plans for the Geneva Motor Show.

Gallery: Audi R8 V10 spied at quattro GmbH

Gallery: 2008 Audi R8

[Source: Car and Driver]

9ff working on hotter GT9R

The German uber-tuners at 9ff have come to the conclusion that 253 mph just isn't fast enough, so work is currently underway on a hotter version of its GT9 supercar.

The "standard" GT3-based 9ff GT9 puts out 973 hp and 711 lb-ft of torque, but with a few tweaks to the ECU and a slight increase in boost pressure, the 4.2-liter flat-six will be putting out 1,120 hp and 774 lb-ft of twist. The chopped roof, lengthened body and widened haunches will carry over to the GT9R, but a new front fascia, splitter, wheel well extractors, brake cooling ducts, roof-mounted air scoop and wing will be added to the package. There's no word on what 9ff plans to do with the GT9R, but don't be surprised if it hits the circuit next year.

Gallery: 9ff GT9

[Source: 9ff via Supercars.net]