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We’re convinced the Bugatti Veyron has to have the highest ratio of variants per total production — Ford Mustang included. There’s the Sang Noir, a first and second version of the Hermes, Pur Sang, Grand Sport, and now the Vincero built by Mansory.

Not much is known about the car since no information is listed on the Swiss tuner’s web site, but United Arab Emirates exotic car dealer Prestige Cars has posted the car for sale, listing it as one of three built. Looking at the photos, the Vincero features a carbon fiber hood and engine cover, new black wheels, and an interior that has been reupholstered in black and white with carbon fiber trim. It’s not everyone’s taste, but we definitely wouldn’t kick it out of the garage.

© Source: autofans
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Chevy has released a number of Equinox videos. The new SUV’s interior includes a close-up look at the dials and buttons as well as a peek at the rear storage and the optional flat screens built into the seat rests.



© Source: blogs.cars
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(from StudioTorino Press Release) PRESS RELEASE: COUPETORINO

Studiotorino presents a cultural, non-profit project: the COUPETORINO, a single to-scale model inspired by the iconic Mercedes SL spider.

COUPETORINO will make its debut December 12, 2008 at the “BESPOKE COACHWORK” exhibit to be held at Turin Gallery as part of the greater event “Turin World Design Capital 2008”. In cooperation with L’Istituto di Arte Applicata e Design di Torino (IAAD).

As part of the event “Turin World Design Capital 2008”, Studiotorino presents a cultural, non-profit project. The COUPETORINO is a technical and stylistic study aimed at transforming series and off-set automobiles with reliable technical solutions while maintaining the car’s identity. With this objective in mind the iconic Mercedes SL spider was chosen as a lone specimen. Its original architectural structure was transformed into a true coupй.

Amongst the various design studies directed by STUDIOTORINO in cooperation with Istituto di Arte Applicata e Design (IAAD) and informally presented to the Mercedes Design Center in Como to Professor Peter Pfeiffer, a more typically Italian coupй style was chosen.

This project includes an accurate 1:4 scale maquette personally modeled by Alfredo Stola and a photographic exhibit presenting all of its developmental stages, from its conception to its realization. An in depth study presents all of the construction methodology and aerodynamics with the goal of creating a perfectly functional prototype with the reliability akin to that of series automobiles. COUPETORINO was presented on December 12, 2008 at the Premiиre held at Turin Gallery with an exhibit titled “Bespoke Coachwork”.

The Premiere of COUPETORINO to be held on December 12, 2008 in the exhibit “Bespoke Coachwork” at Turin Gallery will present in addition to a photographic exhibit of all the designs and developmental stages, a 1:4 scale model purposely without wheels, monochromatic in bronze on a transparent support as if a sculpture.

© Source: seriouswheels
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Cobra Technology is ready for the release of the Nissan GT-R on the European market. Although no cars have hit the street there (officially), it allocation for 2009 is already sold out. So the modified Cobra N+ GT-R may already be on a few European wish lists.

Cobra reprogrammed the ECU, boost pressure is increased by 0.15 bar, and the air intake is modified with sport air filters. It claims this increases the standard 485 hp to 550 hp (but also remember that GT-Rs will usually appear more powerful than they actually are on a dyno.)

Other upgrades to the GT-R include three-piece lightweight 21-inch Cobra N+ light-alloy wheels, eight-piston brake calipers, and adjustable coil-over suspension. There is also a body kit with Cobra N+ front apron with large air dams, rocker panels, and rear apron.

It’s a tough thing to mess with Godzilla. The engineers at Nissan spent about seven years getting everything right, so even a body kit may seriously mess with the aerodynamics from the factory. But if nothing else, Europe will love the black and gold paint scheme that should remind many of the John Player Special F1 racers of the 1970s.

© Source: topspeed
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Last week, the new Honda Accord made its official debut in Japan and only a few days later, Honda specialist Mugen already presented the first details regarding the upcoming package for the car, both sedan and wagon versions. The Accord Mugen will a full new bodykit, with new front and rear spoilers, ‘aero’ bumpers, side sills and a huge rear wing, plus four alloy wheel designs available in 18 and 19 inches size.

Performance upgrades include a new sport suspension kit, high-performance brake pads and rotors, plus a new sport exhaust system. No word wether the 2.4 liter engine or the 5-speed automatic transmission received any upgrades.

© Source: autounleashed
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Reiter Engineering was on board for the development of the Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT racecar. So with a little extra tim on its hands, the people at Reiter decided to give this track-only car some modifications so it could be unleashed on the street.

What makes this version recognizable from standard Murcielagos are the raised tail pipes and fixed rear wing. The important part is that its that this Murcielago is on strict weight saving diet. Expect to keep the current car’s 640 hp V12 engine, but like the Gallardo Superleggera, the Murcielago’s all-wheel drive system is ditched for the lighter and more race-friendly rear-wheel drive.

© Source: topspeed
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Base price: $19,249
Vehicle layout: Front engine, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine: 2.4L/166-hp/162-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Curb weight: 3479 lb
Wheelbase: 103.9 in
Lengthxwxh 177.1 x 71.3 x 66.7 (w/roof rails) in

Even before this year's massive gas-price-spike hit, buyers had begun fleeing the traditional SUV segment in favor of more fashionable and fuel-efficient crossovers. Automakers have noticed, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to find a compact SUV that's still actually an SUV. The 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara is one of the few capable compact offerings left for the U.S. market.

The last time a Grand Vitara graced our garage -- a 2008 4WD model -- we were pleasantly Gone is the overburdened 184-hp 2.7L V-6 engine. In its place is the standard 2.5L four producing 166 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque and an optional 3.2L V-6 producing 230 hp and 213 lb-ft of torque.

The two-row, five passenger 2009 Grand Vitara with just 1700 miles on the clock was fitted with the top-shelf Luxury trim package, the four-cylinder engine, and a four-speed automatic transmission. It was also 2WD, which meant I wouldn't be testing its off-road prowess. That's just fine, since most 'utes in the Grand Vitara's class spend most of their time on the pavement anyway.

The first thing you notice when you climb into the Grand Vitara is the simplicity of the interior. All the controls are within easy reach and easy to use, and there aren't too many of them -- enough buttons and dials to get the job done and no more. The black dash, carpet, doors and seats are set off by tasteful silver accents. Unfortunately, they're also offset by cheap-looking faux-marble trim around the gear selector and on the interior door handles. Marble works in kitchens, not cars, and cheap, plastic, fake marble really doesn't work. Still the trim is dark enough to overlook most of the time.

Although down 18 hp from our V-6 tester, the vehicle's four-cylinder engine actually feels quite peppy. Merging on the freeway and climbing hills requires only modest throttle input, as does passing on the freeway. Picking up my brother and his luggage did little to slow it down. What hampers the Grand Vitara more than the engine, though, is the old-school four-speed transmission. In most situations it's not a problem, but if you hit an incline on the freeway, things get ugly. The transmission constantly hunts back and forth between third and fourth gear, with third too strong and fourth too weak to make the climb. Worse, the downshifts are anything but smooth. A gearbox with at least one more cog -- say like the one in V-6 Grand Vitara -- would help immensely.

© Source: motortrend
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