Skoda Begins Testing The Fabia Super 2000

Skoda made an official announcement about the Fabia Super 2000 prototype which is destined to compete in the Super 2000 category. The sports car is tested in order to be compatible with the FIA regs, features a 2-liter atmospheric four-cylinder petrol engine, 6-speed transmission and 4-wheel drive system. Skoda hopes to get very useful results and they are confident that the prototype will progress very fast. According to Martin Lauer, Head of Corporate Communications, Skoda will achieve what they proposed because of their experience and their popularity.

Check out the gallery and the press release after the jump.

Hyundai Preview For ‘08 Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai made an official announcement about their participation at the Geneva Motor Show next month. It seems like they will unveil a series of world premieres - the HED-5 Concept, the new version of the Matrix and a range of environmental-friendly vehicles.

The HED-5 Concept is a six-seat MPV, also environmental-friendly and is supposed to be one of the most versatile car of its class and it would bring a series of revolutionary materials. About the Matrix we can only say that it’s going to be a facelifted version and they categorized it as a “must see”.

Hyundai promises that its green cars can achieve the same performances as the petrol cars. The South Korean automaker also talked about a debut - the 2008 Matrix mini MPV, a “fashion” car.

Follow the press release and the gallery below.

From Quattroporte To Cinqueporte By StudioM And StudioTorino

What would you do if you were an Arab sheik with literally unlimited funds and also a car fanatic ? Well, in a specific case, a Middle Eastern sheik ordered a custom estate wagon version of Maserati Quattroporte. The result is called Cinqueporte and it’s modified by StudioTorino and StudioM, for an unknown definitely not low price. This client has also ordered a few custom estate wagon Ferraris and the reason we say it didn’t go cheap is that he wants luxury and a StudioM’s previous project only for the interior of Maserati Quattroporte went to a whopping €350,000.

Click on the photos to visit the gallery, where you can see more pictures with the so-called Maserati Cinqueporte.

PPI Audi R8 Razor

It seems like everybody loves Audi R8. After we presented you the R8 tuned by ABT, today we bring in front of you another R8 tuned by PPI. It was presented at the Essen Motor Show last year, but now PPI made a series of changes and upgraded once more the R8.

It’s called Razor. The engine is a 4.2-liter FSI and it was improved with 40 HP and 26 lb-ft of torque reaching a total of 460 and 343 respectively. This powertrain drives the Razor to a top speed of 192 mph and it boosts from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds flat. Enough about the engine, let’s get to the design section. A fully carbon-fiber aero kit, larger air intakes(this is the latest fashion and everybody is doing this), black magnesium 19-inch rims and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup rubber.

Follow the gallery below and the press release.

Lancia Delta - Geneva 2008 Preview

There has been a long time since we haven’t heard anything from Lancia, but now their time has come. The Fiat division has made an announcement that Lancia will unveil the upcoming Fiat Bravo platform based Delta. The first Delta HPE concept has been seen at the Paris Motor Show back in 2006.

The production version Lancia Delta looks really nice and it seems they have done a good job. Unfortunately we don’t know many details about it yet, but we should find more at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, in March, when it gets officially unveiled.

If you can speak Italian, then you can read the Press Release Below.

Saab 9-1 Concept - Geneva 2008 Preview

Saab is preparing a new concept in order to unveil it at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, this year, in March. The 9-1 concept is aimed to compete with Audi A3, Volvo C30 and BMW 1 series and it was initially supposed to be showed at the London Motor Show.


It’s design will be influenced by the Aero X concept and it will be powered by a Biopower mill or a turbocharged 1.4 liter four. We shall get more details in March, after it gets unveiled.

2009 Mercedes SL 63 AMG

A couple of weeks ago Mercedes-Benz unveiled the 2009 SL 63 AMG which is destined to be the perfect substitute for the SL 55 AMG. Mercedes wanted a change in the engine sector and they kissed goodbye the 510 HP supercharged as they welcomed the new 6.2-liter V8 which produces 538 HP and 465 lb-ft torque.The new AMG model features a new front fascia, new side-gills and larger air intakes, but these are just some of the additions. We should specify that the engine was entirely manufactured by AMG and for it, Mercedes prepared an innovative seven-speed transmission called MCT( Multi-Clutch Transmission) which is a combination of a regular and F1 gearboxes.

Mercedes used us with very good optional packages and they didn’t let us down - customers can opt for 19-inch twin spoke wheels, ABC-actve high-performance suspension, vented ceramic front-brake discs and AIRSCARF. The last is an innovative extra heating system which sends warm air through vents with the purpose to extend the open-air driving season.

Watch some pictures of the SL63 AMG in the gallery below and for more informations check the press release.

Audi R8 Receives Special Attention from ABT

ABT Sportsline is a tuning and motor racing company but today we will talk about the tuning part. For many years ABT reworked Audi’s cars and others related with Audi.

If you are a fan of the R8, if you imagined what would be like to modify it yourself, you don’t have to think for long, because the German tuner made an incredible job redesigning the R8. New skirts and rear spoiler, both made of carbon-fiber, front and rear clips replaced, new angle of the front openings, new rear bumper, smaller vents and the diagonal exhaust is cream of crop for the ABT R8.

All these new features deserve a special tint so the tuned Audi R8 received a custom-made black color along with red shades. I have nothing more to say because the gallery below should speak for itself.

Berg Toys Ferrari FXX Pedal Car

The Ferrari FXX it’s a dream car, don’t you think? Probably many people would like to have one in their garage, but they can’t afford one, so now they can buy one of Berg Toys Ferrari FXX pedal car for their kids.

The FXX Racer pedal car it has some of the original car features like seven-speed transmission, disk brakes, semi-slick racing tires and even an on-board computer. If you would like to spend more money on a pedal car, then you should try the FXX Exclusive so your kid can have more comfort. The FXX Exclusive upgrades with a premium racing bucket, four-point harness, aero kit and leather steering wheel.

You will be able to buy the FXX Racer, for €499 or the FXX Exclusive, for €1499, starting next month from Berg’s own dealer network or you could run into a Ferrari dealership. I don’t know what you think, but I know that I would’ve liked one when I was a kid.

Maserati Chicane Concept - 2008 Geneva Preview

Two students from the Instituto Europeo di Design, Dmytro Zyubyairov and Oscar Palladino, are the winners of a design contest. At the contest participated 17 teams which have displayed their concepts to a jury composed from Maserati and Fiat AG chief designers.

Their concept named The Chicane will be unveiled next month at the Geneva Motor Show and is based on the Maserati GranTurismo. The 2+2 concept is powered by a V8 through the rear wheels and is sportier than the GT because it’s shorter with 400mm and the fierce chrome is there to scare its rivals.

More Pictures of 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT and Eclipse Spyder

Mitsubishi was kind enough to show the world of auto-fans new high-resolution images of 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT and Eclipse Spyder. The design of these two models were inspired from the Lancer Evolution, the new front end from which “pops out” a blacked grille and the blacked rear apron are just two of the new features.

The interior isn’t so different from the previous generation because they concentrated to upgrade the engine’s power and they made an improvement of 2 HP and 2 lb-ft torque for the V6 taking it to a total of 265 HP and 262 lb-ft.

Although the “facelifted” 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT looks good, I think it can’t compete against the Lancer Raillart.

Hamann Introduces BMW X5 Flash

Hamann, a renowned German tuning company founded by Richard Hamann in 1986. They concentrate on cars like BMW, Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini, so their latest project is a BMW X5. The German Specialists named the project “Flash”.

Now, the SUV features new fender flares, roof spoiler, front and rear, and a special suspension as well as a new braking-system. Flash can be powered by either a 4.4-liter V8 which produces 368 HP or a 3.0sd which produces 320 HP. For both versions you will get a “powerful” exhaust which creates a sound beautiful enough to impress any audience.

The interior received special treatment, too - black-mat flooring, aluminum pedals and carbon fiber.

It’s a perfect car for tuning fans, it’s not extreme but very simple and has all it needs.

Chicago ‘08: Audi A4 Special Edition

For the Chicago Auto Show, Audi brought the Special Edition of A4 “special” for customers fond of luxury sport sedans. This model features sport front bumper and grille, 17-inch 9-spoke wheels, leather interior and heated front seats. The car will be powered by a 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine and it should compete against BMW, Lexus and Mercedes.

The Audi A4 Special Edition will be available in mid March. I think Audi is a great automaker and its starting to pose a big threat to the luxury companies which are mentioned above.

Chicago ‘08: Lexus Presents Pebble Beach Collection

Last week at Chicago Auto Show, Lexus unveiled a couple of cars RX 350 and ES 350, both special editions Pebble Beach company. The RX 350 will be available in 3 colors, Classic Silver Metallic, Obsidian Black and Truffle Mica. It features 18-inch wheels, chromed-grille and a special interior.The ES 350 Pebble Beach will be available in three colors, Obsidian Black, Truffle Mica and Tungsten Pearl Silver. It features 17-inch 7-spoke wheels and a combination of wood-leather interior.

These two cars are customized by Pebble Beach for the first time and it’s a proof of the good relationship between Lexus and Pebble which began in 2003. They will produce about 6,000 units of RX and ES which will be available for shipping beginning in late February and mid March.

Faralli & Mazzanti Antas V8 GT, One Of The Speed Racer Stars

Not many people heard of the unique sportscar, but this won’t be for long because the car is ready to make its debut in the Speed Racer movie. This unique sportscar has been built by two classic car lovers: Luca Mazzanti and Walter Faralli. The Antas V8 GT has been designed by hand, and it has retro touches from old cars like Bugatti, Maserati or Morgan. The car has a 4.7-liter Maserati V8 engine which produces a power of 310hp. This superb car has firstly been unveiled in 2007 at the Top Marques show in Monaco. You will be able to see the Faralli & Mazzanti Antas V8 GT on May 9th, when the movie Speed Racer will hit the big screen.