Range Rover RS250 Evoque Vesuvius Edition by Kahn Design

In the past few months, the Range Rover Evoque has been one of the most appreciated cars among tuners. We have seen tons of upgrade packages and today it is time to add a new one to that very long list. This time around it comes from the Kahn Design and is called RS250 Vesuvius Edition.

The exterior color combination, which includes black paint combined with Vesuvius matte orange on the roof and bonnet – is simply incredible. The aerodynamic kit is also pretty sweet and transforms the Evoque into a meaner and more aggressive-looking model. The kit includes a new front bumper with integrated vents, side vent surrounds, a new front bumper mesh and a new rear bumper, all of which are painted matte black.

The exterior kit continues with new LED daytime running lights, numerous elements in copper like the front headlight detail, the side vent inserts and new elements painted in body color, like the wheel arches and front grille outer section. The last updates on the exterior include a set of Kahn RS rims sized 22 inches with Vesuvius-orange-painted calipers behind them and a new crosshair exhaust system.

For the interior, the front and rear seats are wrapped in black leather combined with Alcantara and Vesuvius orange detail, the center dashboard was also wrapped in black leather with contrasting stitching, while the center glove box and the gear selector are quilted in diamond.

If you are interested this car can be yours for a total of £55,875 - about $89,500 at the current exchange rates.

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Next Volkswagen Phaeton to Debut New Design Language

Come 2015 when Volkswagen announces the next-generation Phaeton, it will also debut a new design language that will influence the entire VW range, according to Design Director Klaus Bischoff.

The design boss himself admits that the new design language that debuted with the VW Golf VII was a mistake. Unlike most companies where the design of the flagship product influences the rest of product range — the "top-down" approach — with the Golf VII, VW used the bottom-up approach that, according to Bischoff, didn’t bode well with the market.

If there is something that we’d criticize about the current design language is that the entire VW lineup looks eerily similar. For the future design language, Klaus promises that there will be a specific look for saloons, one for the SUV lineup, one for the people carriers and one for hatchbacks. We hope this change flows over to Audi as well.

With Klaus Bischoff promising such changes, the future of this German giant looks bright. Though it’s easy to make promises, delivering them is the actual challenge.

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Meet the 2013 Audi RS6 Avant

Previous rumors suggest that the 2013 Audi RS6 Avant will be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, but considering the first images have already surfaced the internet we consider that the official debut will happen a little bit earlier than expected.

The first thing you will have to notice is that these leaked images confirm the previous rumors that the new RS6 will drop the usual V-10 engine in favor of a new V-8 TFSI engine. This engine till most likely be a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine that will deliver up to 570 horses. The RS6 will also feature Audi’s torque-sensing all-wheel-drive system, which is also revealed by the images.

The exterior on the other hand offers no surprise, as the new RS6 will be feature design elements we have already seen in previously announced Audi models. The interior looks also a little bit more elegant and the exterior looks to have picked up a set of ceramic brakes.

We’ll keep an eye out for more info!

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Cadillac ATS by D3 2013

When it comes to tuning Cadillacs, few rank higher than D3. It is, after all, the maker of the Le Monstre CTS-V, a car that we first saw at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show.

During this year’s SEMA show, D3 was back in full force again, presenting a new program for the Cadillac ATS, which includes a new body kit. This kit consists of a revised front bumper, side skirts with optional air foils, a new roof spoiler and a rear deck lid spoiler. All these parts were built by D3 itself and comes with OEM mounting points.

On top of all the aesthetic upgrades, D3 also treated the ATS with some mechanical upgrades, including installing an adjustable coil-over suspension system that can be lowered and the spring rate adjusted to the driver’s preference or track. The ATS’ suspension system also received an aftermarket lowering module that consists of two settings — "Street" or "Competition” — to help give it an extra edge in the twist. Finally, the standard air intake was also replaced by a genuine bolt-on D3 air-intake system.

These upgrades may look subtle now, but rest assured, D3 has something in store for all of us. It has built a reputation as one of the best Cadillac tuner in the world.

Pretty high expectations, sure, but D3 has earned it.

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Maserati Quattroporte 2014

We already know that the Maserati Quattroporte will be getting a smaller engine in order to reduce fuel consumption, which is something that is quite a trend nowadays. But while the Quattroporte’s competitors, such as the Audi A8 and the Porsche Panamera 4, are making their vehicles longer,Maserati says that their sedan "will not get any bigger."

"Even though our rivals – such as the new Audi A8 – are getting longer, we have to keep it as a sporty alternative," said Fiat design boss Lorenzo Ramaciotti. The new model made its official debut today, and as Maserati officially announced it will combine old and new in an attempt to create a model that will help the Italian company to achieve their sales goal of 50,000 units a year by 2015.

Maserati has unveiled today the first details on the next Maserati Quattroporte before the car’s official debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2013.

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GassGuzzler Rendering: 2014 Alfa Romeo SUV

Alfa Romeo is preparing to make an impressive comeback to the US market with four new models. One of them is the long rumored compact crossover SUV. The model - unnamed, but rumored to be called CXover - will be built on the same platform as the next generation Jeep Liberty and will target models like the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3.

Alfa Romeo will offer both front-drive and all-wheel drive variants, and a full engine line-up including a 1750 TC GDI that delivers 200 HP, a 2.0-liter JTDm diesel unit with 140 HP, and a 3.3 liter variant of Chrysler’s Pentastar V6 engine that delivers a total of 275 HP. It has also been rumored that a new 9-speed automatic transmission will find its way into the new SUV.

Expect to see the new Alfa Romeo SUV launched sometime in 2013, more than likely at the Geneva Motor Show.

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GassGuzzler Rendering: Mercedes E63 AMG

Just two weeks ago, we got some leaked photos on the first spy shots of the facelift version for the Mercedes E63 AMG. At that point, the prototype caught testing with a bunch of camouflage, so it was pretty difficult to imagine what the new model will look like. For that reason, we have come up with a rendering that will help highlight all the changes that will be featured in the facelift E63 AMG.

The exterior changes will be similar to the ones found in the standard E-Class and will include one-piece headlights, a more upright standing grille, and a new hood. There will also be newly designed air intakes that will provide better engine cooling. For the rear, the E63 AMG will receive a redesigned bumper, new styled exhaust pipes, and new rear lights.

The interior will also be updated with higher quality materials, as well as a series of new technologies.

Expect to see the facelift version of the Mercedes E63 AMG launched sometime in 2013.

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BMW Claiming PSA Owes it €50 Million

So BMW and Peugeot Citroën (PSA) were once a happy couple, just humming along in a deal that would help bring more hybrid and EV technology to both brands. All was well and good, and the relationship was blossoming into a mutually beneficial deal with no signs of issues. That was until General Motors decided to start flirting with the French automaker.

PSA decided that the grass was indeed greener on the other side and formed a deal with GM to increase its stake in producing vehicles with the American automaker. This apparently is a fatal blow to the deal between BMW and PSA, but BMW isn’t letting PSA get away Scott-free. Part of the BMW-PSA deal was that the two automakers would jointly build a factory to manufacture the hybrid and EV technology and BMW is holding PSA to its promises by demanding €50 million, according to media outlets in France.

With the automotive world in Europe seeing the same types of struggles that the U.S. auto industry went through just a few years ago, €50 million is a lot of money for PSA to pony up. PSA hasn’t yet issued a response to Bimmer’s claim, but chances are this is ultimately the fatal blow to the once-promising BMW-PSA deal.

We’re curious if the upcoming i8 hybrid was secretly a part of the hybrid technology that the two were planning to share. If so, this could be a key reason that BMW has been eerily quiet about the much-anticipated i8. We’ll keep an eye on this situation and let you know what comes of it.

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Porsche Panamera GTM by Misha Designs

We are getting closer and closer to the official launch date of the 2012 SEMA Show, so the number of packages announced for the event keeps growing. The newest kit is from Misha Design and it’s a very cool GTM body kit based on a Porsche Panamera provided by JC Custom.

The GTM kit will actually be available in two options: a GTM kit for the regular Panamera body and another kit with wide body rear fender flares. The rest of the kit will be the same regardless of the width chosen. It will include a new front bumper with a gloss black lip and large air intakes, new front wings, new side skirts, flared rear arches, a big rear diffuser, a new roof spoiler, and a new decklid spoiler.

The final version of the Panamera will be painted by JC Customs in a matte gray metallic, not the white seen in these preliminary images. The gray finish will then be combined with a new set of 22" Govanna MECCA wheels provided by WTW Corp and new tailpipes.

More details on the Porsche Panamera GTM by Misha Designs will be released during the 2012 SEMA Auto Show, so stay tuned!

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Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

In 2006, Porsche added the Turbo S trim level to its Cayenne lineup, which brought the sport SUV’s already impressive output up to 520 horsepower. The 2007 model year was a one-year break for the Cayenne and when it returned in 2008, the Turbo S was not offered, but it did return again for the 2009 and 2010 model years. It looks like Porsche is going to try again, as it just announced that the Turbo S will make its triumphant return in the 2013 model year.

Much like the 911 Turbo S, the Cayenne Turbo S will share most of its styling and DNA with the step-down Turbo model. The biggest changes between the Turbo and Turbo S models will be some basic creature comfort additions, handling and braking changes, and most importantly, more power!

With the world of performance SUVs starting to get slightly crowded, how well can the top-line Cayenne Turbo S do in this quickly flooding marketplace? Does it really have enough additions over the Turbo model to constitute a price hike and how much is the price hike?

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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series Prototype Goes up in Flames on the `Ring

As we all expect, Mercedes has been hard at work testing out its upcoming SLS AMG Black Series, making sure its 600-plus-horsepower engine, upgraded suspension, and brakes are up to the task of daily use and high speeds. One place that every supercar needs to test at is the Nürburgring. Well, with the Nürburgring comes some of the most spectacular wrecks ever.

This time around, the SLS Black Series prototype got the short end of the `Ring’s stick, as it was smashed up in a wreck on the Dӧttinger Hӧhe section of the track – one of the fastest sections – and went up in flames. Fortunately, the engineers in the car were unharmed, proving that Mercedes put some serious work into the SLS’s safety devices and that the `Ring has some fast safety crews.

Before everyone gets up in arms about a Benz burning, don’t get too worried, as a wreck of this nature is bound to cause some flames and likely has nothing to do with the quality of the prototype. It is rather unfortunate to see such an expensive piece of experimental metal and carbon fiber go up in smoke, but we are willing to bet that Mercedes has a few more of these in the stable and the funds to build a new one, if needed.

What’s even cooler is that we actually got our hands on a few spy shots of the aftermath from this wreck. On top of the carnage, you also get a good look at this upcoming model with most of its camo… well, burned off…

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BMW 1M Coupe by TJ Fahrzeugdesign

So, maybe it was a money issue or a timing issue, but you held off on putting your deposit down on the limited-run 1M Coupe. Now, you’re likely kicking yourself as you realize just how popular it was and just how tough it may become to get your hands on one of the 6,331 of them in existence today. If you don’t feel like waiting for a reasonably priced 1M to hit the used market and really only care about the performance of the 1M and not the “official” name, German Tuner, TJ Fahrzeugdesign, may have the answer for you.

TJ Fahrzeugdesign, which translates out to TJ Vehicle Design, has released a tuning and appearance kit that will give your run-of-the-mill 1-Series coupe the look and feel of the 1M coupe. Actually, you will likely annihilate any 1M coupe on the street in this machine, thanks to four extra cylinders and loads more power than the stock 1M.

So how does TJ Fahrzeugdesign’s really stand up to the 1M coupe?

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Bentley Continental GT by Wheelsandmore

The new Bentley Continental GT models are one of the few vehicles that are perfect straight from the factory, needing no updates to extend their luxurious nature. German tuner Wheelsandmore apparently doesn’t agree or just likes a challenge as they have found some features that they decided to tweak.

Their package can be ordered for both the V8 and W12 versions and includes some pretty cool updates for the wheels, power, exhaust, and suspension. The most impressive updates can be found in the engines. The W12 engine gets its output increased from the standard 575 HP up to 635 HP and the V8 engine goes from 507 HP to 565 HP. Allotting for 15 HP is the new stainless steel exhaust system with remote valves which joins the new suspension system with an adjustable electronic lowering module that allows lifting at speeds up to 50 mph. The price for this conversion is 2,748 euro, or about $3,550 at the current exchange rates.

The only aesthetics included in the package is a new set of 21" 3-piece handcrafted 6Sporz² wheels at a price of 9,916 Euro (about $12,800 at the current exchange rates).

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Land Rover Range Rover LRGT Concept

When Thibault Devauze was just an intern at Land Rover, he was handed a big job of designing a crossover SUV to rival the likes of the X6 and the Bentley Continental GTC — an eclectic set of rivals, huh? The project had only a few real rules: make it luxurious, make it a coupe, price it above €100K, and give it the biggest, baddest engine that Land Rover had to offer.

With these guidelines and the base chassis of the Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Devauze came up with the LRGT Concept. After six weeks of designing and sketching, Devauze and two modelers came up with the first ever CAD images of his brainchild. Since then, he has used that model to come up with final results of the concept that, according to his claims, are still on the table at Land Rover.

This model is pegged to sit at the top of Land Rover’s Range Rover lineup. It boasts Lad-Rover’s famed front end with a slight twist, as it rakes rearward more than most current Land Rover SUVs, sans the Evoque. As you stretch over its shallow-raked, hood you come to a roofline that dives into the back end of the crossover. Around the back end you get a pair of circular taillights that cap off a sleek rump and pair of oblong tail pipes are integrated in with the rear bumper.

From the side profile, you find an awesome reverse-wedge design that just seems to fit perfectly with the sharp upper beltline and the massive pair of doors designed to replace the typical 4-door SUV setup.

The driving force under the hood of this massive 4,850 mm (190 –inch) long x 1,995 mm (78-inch) wide x 1,510 mm (59-inch) wide 2,095 kg (4,618-pound) crossover is Land Rover’s supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine that pumps out 540 PS (532 horsepower) and 725 Nm (534 pound-feet) of torque.

From the looks of it, this appears to be the big brother of the Evoque, but we’ll find out in the coming years if this is a production concept or just another one that will be filed away for future model design.

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Range Rover RS300 Vesuvius Edition by Kahn Design

Another Friday, another cool tuning package offered by the guys over at Kahn Design. Their latest RangeRover package drapes the SUV’s body with Santorini black metallic paint combined with Vesuvius orange accents, including but not limited to the roof and a thick stripe on the hood. It also throws in an aerodynamic package and new interior modifications.

The aerodynamic package includes a lower front bumper lip extension, an RS front grille with 3D mesh, a grille insert in Vesuvius orange, exhaust side vents in matte pearl grey and body color, and Kahn enamel wing shields. Additional features include brake calipers finished in Vesuvius orange, RS vented front wheel arches with integrated front air dams, front wheel arch LED light strips, and door handles in matte grey. Then there’s the aforementioned painted floating roof and bonnet stripe.

For the interior, the tuner added RS Vesuvius style diamond quilted and perforated black leather with a Vesuvius orange trim. The package also includes vented food pedals in machined aluminum and a Kahn Vesuvius speedometer, as well as a new clock bezel surround finished with Swarovski diamonds, door panel tops in quilted and perforated leather with orange stitching, and plenty of carbon fiber.

The package is offered with a 3.0 SDV6 engine that delivers a total of 256 HP at 4,000 rpm and a peak torque of 442 lbs-ft at 2,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a new ZF 8HP70, eight-speed automatic gearbox and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 8.4 seconds.

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BMW X5M by Velos Designwerks

If you own a car like the BMW X5M, you generally don’t ask for any upgrades other than the ones offered by BMW. Imagine our surprise when we discovered an "unhappy" client had gone to Velos Designwerks and asked them to provide any updates possible for the luxury SUV. The tuner responded with a number of exterior and engine updates to create the ultimate SUV.

The upgrading session began with the addition of the Stage 2+ Velos Designwerks performance tune for the standard 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 engine’s fuel maps, throttle maps, ignition maps, and limiters. This upgrade took the standard 555 HP and 501 lb ft of torque and powered it up to 645 HP at 6800 rpm and 631 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. The tuner then added a new exhaust system with Akra Downpipes. Stage 2 options are also available for vehicles fitted with full exhaust and downpipes for off-road use. The best part about this engine upgrade is that it will only set customers back $1,500.00. A carbon fiber vented race hood can also be added for $2,655.00.

In addition to the engine updates, Velos also added a new front spoiler ($1,800.00) and a rear diffuser ($1,875.00) made of carbon fiber, as well as a new set of ADV1 wheels combined with a KW suspension kit and a Brembo brake kit. For the interior, the tuner added a new BMW Performance steering wheel and a Hardwire Valentine One radar detector.

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Rolls-Royce Ghost "One-Off Qatar" Edition

The phrase "one-off" has been popularly used in the auto industry these days with plenty of automakers building one-off models for their popular line of vehicles.

The latest to do so is British luxury car maker Rolls Royce. Sure, they’re not known for one-off customizations like this one, but for a special client in Qatar, they went the extra mile, building a unique Rolls Royce Ghost with a two-tone English White and Ensign Red finish. The Ensign Red color, in particular, appears to be something Rolls Royce cooked up in their shops, accounting for a great chunk of the luxury car’s characterized phrase of one-off exclusivity.

Inside, there are also plenty of upgrades, highlighted by an interior trim that’s unmistakably Rolls-Royce: Seashell with Consort Red leather and an Elm Cluster veneer. Adding touches of panache to the leather and veneer, Rolls also added Consort Red accents that extend all the way to the dashboard, the steering wheel, and even the lower section of the floor.

For a one-off model, Rolls Royce did this Ghost some justice. Some people may be flippish on it, but from our end, it looks pretty good.

Heck, it’s even better when you account for its 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 engine with 563 horsepower, a 0-62 mph time of 4.7 seconds, and a top speed of 155 mph.

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Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG "Project Cyphur" by SR Auto Group Launch

SR Auto Group is dropping it like its hot!

The Canadian aftermarket company has been releasing a number of new programs lately and as sure as the sun is hot, they’ve been smacking their programs straight out of the park. The latest program is called "Project Cyphur" and was built for the Mercedes E63 AMG. Considering the car already carries an AMG badge, SR Auto Group decided to give it a full aesthetic makeover instead.

The first order of business was enlisting new body components from Brabus, considered one of the best Mercedes tuners in the world. The kit includes a full carbon fiber font lip and a pair of carbon fiber air events. This is followed by the removal of the front fenders, which were then replaced with Brabus front fenders. LED side markers have also been added as well as a carbon fiber diffuser over at the rear.

The last order of business, as always, is fitting the car with a new set of shiny digs. For this one, SR Auto Group added a set of Design 6IX Depth in “Rose Gold” PUR Wheels.

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Porsche Cayenne Coupe by Merdad Collection

Lovers of Porsche, but haters of the Cayenne may finally have a reason to see past the SUV features of the vehicle now that Merdad Collection has taken a chance on it. The English tuner has just revealed their newest package that consists of chopping off the two rear doors of the Cayenne and giving it a little more power to boot.

The new Porsche Cayenne Coupe was given its name after the company removed the rear doors and moved the B-pillars further back in order to accommodate the new, 20 mm longer front doors. These new doors were then equipped with safety glass to better protect the passengers inside. Other modifications to the exterior include a wide body package with a new mesh grille and spoiler, wheel arch extensions, side skirts and door moldings, a rear skirt with diffuser, and a carbon fiber hood with integrated vents. The car now sits on a new set of 22" wheels combined with an electronic suspension module which lowers the car by 40 mm. The interior also received some modifications in the way of four new sport seats with carbon fiber shells and electronic tilting. Other customizations can be had upon each customer’s request.

The power upgrade was provided with the addition of larger turbocharger units for the 4.8-liter V8 engine, new manifolds and exhaust, a sport air filter, a revised air intake system, and optimized ECU software. The result is an increase from the standard 500 HP up to 670 HP. The 0 to 60 mph is now made in 4.4 seconds and top speed goes up to more than 186 mph.

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Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Edition

Earlier this year, Chrysler and Detroit-born fashion designer John Varvatos collaborated to build a unique, one-off 300S that was eventually auctioned off at the John Varvatos 9th Annual Stuart House Benefit with the proceeds going to benefit The Rape Foundation in support of Stuart House.

We’re saying this because as it turns out, Chrysler and Varvatos’ collaborative endeavors weren’t just limited to a one-off model. That’s because the two have also built a pair of bespoke luxury sedans together based on the 300C. The two models, called the John Varvatos Limited Edition and the John Varvatos Luxury Edition, show what happens when you get two of Detroit’s finest to build a car together.

Given the credibility and respect John Varvatos commands in the fashion industry, these pair of special edition 300C models bearing his name prove that when it comes to perfectly blending his hometown’s blue-collar appeal with the luxury of a car like the 300C, the man has the pulse of the action.

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