Sports Car
The Houghton Mifflin dictionary defines a sports car as: "An automobile equipped for racing, especially an aerodynamically shaped one-passenger or two-passenger vehicle having a low center of gravity and steering and suspension designed for precise control at high speeds." This dictionary definition does not seem to capture the general perception of what the public sees as a sports car.
2013 BMW 3-SERIES B3-TURBO BY ALPINA
With the launch of the new BMW 3-Series, a slew of tuning variations inevitably followed. Not ones to be left out of the tuning game, Alpina, BMW’s close-knit performance automaker, is preparing the futureAlpina B3 Bi-Turbo based off the 335i Saloon. This new model was recently spotted in Southern Europe doing some hot weather testing, revealing some if its new garbs.The B3 saloon isn’t getting a whole new makeover because, well, if it isn’t broke, then don’t fix it. That being said, it will feature a new lip spoiler, modifications to the lower section of the front bumper, a small boot spoiler, bespoke alloy wheel designs, and a new quad exhaust system. Power will come from a revised version of the current model’s twin-turbo 3.0L straight-six engine that will push out a total of 400 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque instead of the current 360 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque. This is much more in line with the power output we had originally anticipated with the current generation, but never received.With the B3’s vigorous torque ability from 1,500 rpm onwards to 7,000 rpm, a diesel variant may also be in the works, but won’t be available until at least late 2013. Touring, Coupe, and Convertible version will also follow in the next couple of years. All models will be offered with RWD as standard, while most of them will also have an AWD option.According to AutoCar, the new Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo will be launched at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March, but other sources are stating that we may see it even earlier than that, at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.
The auto industry is full of automakers that have been revived after going kaput in years past. Over in the UK, the name Trident might ring a bell for some people, especially those that enjoyed their sports cars back in the 60’s.But now, a new Trident is around, and they’re bringing a new sports car with them to the Salon Prive this year. The car is called the Iceni Grand Tourer and true to its brand name, it’s got serious power matched with some classic aesthetic looks.The open-top, two-seater roadster certainly looks the part of a car that’s built more for its performance than its profile. But what it lacks in exterior attractiveness, it certainly more than makes up for in its performance credibility. The Iceni Grand Tourer is powered by a mid-front mounted 6.6-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 430 horsepower and an absolutely insane 950 lb/ft of torque. These numbers allow the car to hit 0-62 mph in just 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 200 mph. Pretty insane, huh?Not when you find out that Trident has an optional power boost that can bump the car’s output further into the neighborhood of 660 horsepower and 1,050 lb/ft of torque.For the pleasure of being one of the few people in the world that can claim to own the new Iceni Grand Tourer, you’re going to need to shell out £75,000 ($120,000) for the base model.
Godzilla is running loose again and its "Dr. Frankenstein" is at it again. The Japanese Nissan GT-R is already considered as one of the most menacing beasts on the streets, but when you add the aftermarket know-how of Switzer, then special things happen.And we mean special.One of the GT-Rs that has gone the way of Switzer’s magical tuning process is this monster called the "Red Katana," a model based on the first R1KX model Switzer GTRs to hit the drag strip. The fully-customized GT-R has been equipped with a twin-bill of bone-rattling performance and a plush exterior and interior set-up with the latter including high-quality carbon fiber and Alcantara. In addition, the car also features a high-end audio system that will shake the roads.The real highlight is the Switzer’s R1KX engine set-up that takes the mighty Red Katana’s performance capabilities into the realm of the unfathomable. Yep, all 1,500 horsepower’s worth of it. In case you need any more convincing, this red rocket recently hit Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio last weekend and blazed the strip with a quarter-mile time of just 8.97 seconds at a speed of over 163 miles per hour.
Roush is bringing back its Stage 3 Premier Edition with a little more flair and even more power for the 2013 model year. This special edition will only be limited to 25 units, but will come with 12 different main body finishes from Sherwin Williams Automotive, five bespoke options and seven paint finishes already found on the 2012 model. The new paint finishes include Launch it Lemon, V8 Red, Cabernet, Punch it Purple, and Iridescence.Aside from the new color palette, the Stage 3 Mustang Premier Edition will also shine from the previously used Roush R6 Aerobody kit with a few, new added touches. This kit includes a high flow grille with a very low front grille opening, new driving lamps with pockets, new front fascia chin splitters, sport rocker panel side splitters, a new rear diffuser design, and rear aero valances. The exterior is finished with a set of 20" wheels available in hyper black or chrome.The Stage 3 Ford Mustang Premier Edition will come with the same monstrous 5.0L V8 engine producing 565 HP and 505 lb-ft of torque with the use of a Roush R2300 TVS Supercharger. For 2013, Roush will even throw in an optional post title upgrade that will launch the ponies up to 625 HP and 525 lb-ft of torque. Much needed stopping power will come from 4-piston brakes with red/black calipers and 14" rotors. Optional 6-piston brakes will also be available. Other options include a trunk-mounted tool kit, a convertible light bar, and quarter window louvers.As an added bonus, all owners of the 2013 Ford Mustang Stage 3 Premier Edition by Roush will also be given two premier colored Polo/Golf shirts, an autographed framed picture of their Stage 3 Premier Edition Mustang, and best of all, a VIP NASCAR Experience from Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes that will provide them with two tickets, two pit passes, and garage access to the race of their choosing (Hotel and Airfare not included).
Earlier this year, Wheelsandmore unveiled their new program for the Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe, dubbing it as the "5.7". Recently, the German tuner followed that up with their latest piece of work, only this time, it’s for the CLS63 AMG.Called the Seven-11, the new program comes with a ridiculous engine upgrade that features the company’s new Stage III kit to go with a new air intake, a custom exhaust system with sound-controlling valves, a new sports catalyst system, and a re-mapped ECU. All these modifications have turned the luxury sedan’s output from the standard 557 horsepower and 589 lb/ft of torque to an impressive 700 horsepower and 811 lb/ft of torque.In order to accommodate and handle the increased output, Wheelsandmore also worked on improving the car’s suspension set-up, thanks to a new lowering module that lowers the car’s ride height by 30 mm.Finally, the car also received some aesthetic upgrades, beginning with an "Armaggedon Matte Gray" finish from Cover EFX to go with the tuner’s unmistakable black racing stripe and a new set of 20" three-piece 6Sporz² forged wheels, combined to create a visually stimulating look that belies the monster lying under its hood.
In the early-1960s, Ford had gained an interest in long-distance road racing and decided it was time to invest in a car that could compete in the likes of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. In 1963, Ford and Ferrari struck a deal for production, but Ferrari cut the project off after they couldn’t come to an agreement as to whether Ford could participate in the Indy 500 or not.Ford then decided if Ferrari wasn’t going to work with them, they were going to beat them. Ford negotiated with both Lotus and Lola before deciding to go with Lola, but the car was a complete mess and retired much more than it finished. After the 1964 Nassau race, Carroll Shelby stepped in to right the ship.Between 1966 and 1969, the GT40 went on to win the Le Mans an impressive four times in a row, entrenching it in racing history and propelling Carroll Shelby even further into legendary status. Following the 1969 model year, the GT project was shut down and the GT40 production stopped at just 107 cars, ending its impressive run.
When Toyota re-entered the affordable sports car market with the GT-86, they definitely didn’t tell us about how extensive their plans really were for the car. Turns out, it’s more than just a sports coupe; it also has plenty of race car iterations.
Their latest race car spec for the GT 86 is called the CS-V3 Racer, a race car that’s been built to compete in the V3 class of the VLN series.In order to give it all the right specs needed for competition, Toyota gave the GT 86 CS-V3 a new racing exhaust, a track-focused suspension, high-performance brakes, and a stronger chassis with optimized weight distribution. Under the hood, the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder model can be found with an output of 200 horsepower.For all intents and purposes, the 86 CS-V3 has been described as "an entry-level race car for easy maintenance, low running costs and great fun", something Yoshiaki Kinoshita, TMG President, has described as a car that’s ideally suited for production-based motorsport."We want to share the passion of motorsport with as many people as possible and this car is the result," Kinoshita said."It already looks fantastic and has superb handling, so with further performance and safety upgrades we have created a really exciting and competitive car which is extremely cost effective."The Toyota GT-86 CS-V3 has been priced at €38,500, which is around $47,850 at the current exchange rates.
