Cars
May 15th, 2012 at 07:55am
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Etc., Videos
We see some fairly radical machinery come up for sale on occasion, but few creations manage to raise our eyebrows so high as Project Sea Lion. Created to nab amphibious land speed record, the machine uses a Mazda 13b rotary engine for propulsion, and its creator says the drivetrain is good enough to launch the vehicle to 180 miles per hour if there’s enough roadway. Given that the current record sits at 125 mph, the Sea Lion should have no problem nabbing that title.
Top speed on the water may be a bit more cumbersome, however. The quickest amphibious vehicle can get to 60 mph right now, and Sea Lion’s builder says the creation will need more horsepower to make that happen.
He suggests a Renesis conversion. We tend to agree.
Made from tig-welded aluminum and a variety of CNC-machined components, the car comes only with a bill of sale. That means we can forget all about driving/floating this thing to work. If you like what you see and what to give the amphibious land speed record a go for yourself, Project Sea Lion is for sale over at Fantasy Junction for the low price of $259,500. Scroll down for a quick video and be sure to check out Fantasy Junction for more details and photos.
Continue reading Project Sea Lion is one crazy roadgoing and seafaring spatula
Project Sea Lion is one crazy roadgoing and seafaring spatula originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2012 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
May 12th, 2012 at 03:55pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, SUV, Etc., Ford, Design/Style, Luxury, Off-Road
The crew from Cool Hunting finally got around to stopping by the Icon headquarters for a little chat with founder Jonathan Ward. The man has made a name for himself by crafting some of the most detail-oriented interpretations of classic cars on the planet.
The Icon Bronco features all of the vintage style of a late ’60s SUV with a hand-built frame, modern running gear and electronics underneath. We are, needless to say, smitten with the creation. Ward gave Cool Hunting the complete tour, including showing off a number of Icon Bronco models in various stages of completion.
Ward brings up an interesting point about modern vehicles about halfway through the clip. He says that with manufacturers continuing to pile on unnecessary technology, today’s machines are almost guaranteed to be obsolete in five years or so. In contrast, Ward says he builds each Icon to be durable enough to last decades without needing serious revision. We like his style. Scroll down below to watch the video.
Continue reading Icon Bronco dissected in detail
Icon Bronco dissected in detail originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
May 11th, 2012 at 11:55pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Ferrari
With its screaming 4.5-liter V8 and its clever flip-top roof mechanism, we’d venture to say that the Ferrari 458 Spider is pretty damn close to automotive perfection incarnate. But some owners - even Ferrari owners - will never be satisfied with stock. And that’s where Novitec Rosso comes in.
The Dutch tuning house specializes in Italian exotica, and for the 458 Spider have just announced a series of upgrades that aims to make their take on the flip-top prancing horse stand out that much more on the streets of Monaco or Abu Dhabi where they’re most likely to encounter others of the same.
Novitec knew better than to mess with the engine too much, so it forwent the addition of supercharger or turbo spools. Instead it limited itself to fitting the high-revving eight-banger with new breathing apparati and ECU that boost output up to 600 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque - a boost of about 40 hp and 20 lb-ft, respectively.
The engine mods have been supplemented by an upgraded, adjustable suspension with 22-inch wheels wearing ultra-low-profile Pirelli P-Zero rubber. And the entire package is rounded out by an aerodynamic body kit crafted from carbon fiber - a treatment that continues to the interior where customers can also find a special button on the steering wheel to open the exhaust flaps for a little moor burble. You know, just in case the 458’s steering wheel weren’t packed with enough buttons already.
Continue reading Novitec Rosso has its way with the Ferrari 458 Spider
Novitec Rosso has its way with the Ferrari 458 Spider originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
May 9th, 2012 at 11:00pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet
When Lingenfelter Performance Engineering announced it had crossed the 200-mph mark in its tuned Camaro ZL1, the man guiding the wheel was Hot Rod editor-in-chief Dave Freiburger. We saw a short video of the run in the 702-horsepower - that’s at the wheels - coupe, but in the latest episode of Hot Rod Unlimited, Freiburger offers the long-form backstory of what it took to get to 202.6 mph exactly.
Continental Tire’s proving grounds in Uvalde, Texas aren’t Italy’s Nardo Ring (where the 2013 Shelby GT500 did 202 mph), and there was much more involved than keeping steady on the straights and hanging on the banks. Scroll down for the video.
Continue reading Watch Hot Rod hit 202 MPH in Lingenfelter Camaro ZL1
Watch Hot Rod hit 202 MPH in Lingenfelter Camaro ZL1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
May 5th, 2012 at 07:56am
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Nissan
Nissan has already begun spinning wrenches on the company’s crowd-sourced project 370Z, and the automaker has been kind enough to craft a well-made video documenting the build. Fans of the brand chose a GReddy twin turbo kit, which should crank up the 3.7-liter V6 to the tune of around 500 horsepower. The Stage One clip follows the build as technicians dismantle the front of the sports car, yank the engine and bolt on the aftermarket goods. Fans also chose a GReddy Ti-C catback exhaust to help the engine breathe a little easier while hustling down the track, so the pipes go on next.
Nissan plans on documenting the full build before unveiling the project at the upcoming ZDayz 2012. If you’re curious about the creation, you can follow along on the Nissan Performance Facebook page. In the mean time, scroll down to check out the video for yourself.
Continue reading Getting to know the crowd-sourced Nissan 370Z
Getting to know the crowd-sourced Nissan 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2012 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:55pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Wagon, Europe, Hatchback, Volvo
The emergence of the V40 is arguably the biggest news to come out of Volvo since Ford sold it to Geely. Just as with any new car - European hatchbacks especially - the aftermarket will follow shortly with modifications, and in the case of Volvo, that means Heico Sportiv.
The German tuning house specializes in Gothenburg’s finest. The firm already has a new ECU module for the T5 engine in the V40 that brings output up from 237 horsepower to 266 and from 236 pound-feet of torque to 269. Heico has released a pair of renderings previewing what it plans to do with the outside of the slick new sport-wagon.
From the teaser renderings, we can see a new set of lightweight seven-spoke alloys, new bumpers front and rear, side skirt extensions, a relatively low-key diffuser and quad ovoid exhaust tips. In other words, the V40, only slightly more so. Unfortunately, since the V40 isn’t earmarked for American showrooms, this may be as close as we’ll get.
Heico Sportiv gears up to mod new Volvo V40 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 09:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
May 3rd, 2012 at 07:13pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Crossover, Nissan, UK, Middle East
It’s a rare thing, but every now and then, our automotive wishes come true. Nissan has announced that it will produce the heinous Juke-R in very limited numbers after a warm reception in Dubai. The company has already received three orders so far, and Nissan says it will begin taking additional orders in the next four weeks.
Each model will be built to order using model year 2012 drivetrain components, meaning there’s a modest bump in power - 545 horsepower versus the original Juke-R’s 480. As you may recall, the first Juke-R used bits cannibalized from a 2010 GT-R. How much will the machine cost? Nissan isn’t saying, but we’d be willing to bet the Juke-R will carry an MSRP a bit higher than the GT-R.
With 545 horsepower crammed into the quirky lines of the Juke, the machine is unlike anything else on the road. Nissan has also worked up a quick video to commemorate the production announcement. The clip focuses on the showdown between the Juke-R and several supercars in Dubai. Scroll down to check it out alongside the full press release.
Continue reading Nissan Juke-R to get limited production run [w/video]
Nissan Juke-R to get limited production run [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
May 3rd, 2012 at 07:55am
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet
With the 2013 Shelby GT500 putting out 662 horsepower and 631 pound-feet torque, we’re guessing that more than a few owners of the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be looking to even things up via the aftermarket. The speed-obsessed guys over at Lingenfelter Performance Engineering are already putting a few options on the table with a three new upgrade packages that boost the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 to anywhere from 630 to 700-plus horsepower.
Apparently, Lingenfelter was eager to prove the merits of its work, and just a couple weeks after taking delivery of an early production Camaro ZL1 had it out on the track putting down times. The test car, pushing out 720 horsepower, laid down a 10.79 second quarter mile pass at Muncie Dragway in Albany, IN, and later recorded a 202 mph top speed at Continental Tire’s proving grounds earlier this week. Coincidentally, that’s the same top speed that the 2013 Shelby GT500 reached during its high speed testing at the Nardo Ring in Italy last year.
You can read more about Lingenfelter’s upgrade packages for the 2012 Camaro ZL1 as well as more details on the high speed test in the press release below.
Continue reading Lingenfelter Camaro ZL1 tops 200 mph
Lingenfelter Camaro ZL1 tops 200 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2012 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
May 1st, 2012 at 11:55pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Lotus
These days it seems like the dream of a new Lotus Esprit is getting nothing but further away, while the troubled company responsible for it applies the classic black and gold livery to everything it produces - and many things produced by others. But there was a time when the original Esprit was a mechanical wonder to behold, and the JPS livery was championed by arguably the greatest driver who ever lived.
That driver, of course, was Ayrton Senna. And to mark the 18th anniversary of his death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, a German outfit called Cam-Shaft Premium Wrapping has created this special edition in his honor. Instead of starting with the original four-cylinder Esprit, though, Cam Shaft went with the later turbo V8 and laid over its black paint a series of gold decals evocative of the iconic livery which Senna sported on his 1985 Lotus 97T, including a reproduction of his signature on the panel in front of the door.
The German firm didn’t stop there, however. They gave the Esprit new turbos, an intercooler and cats to drive output up from 354 horsepower (stock) to 492 hp, drop the 4.9-second 0-62 time down to 4.3 seconds and increase the top speed from 282 km/h to 305. They also fitted it with a new six-speed gearbox to replace the old five-gear unit, upgraded the brakes with AP Racing four-pot calipers on 330mm cross-drilled discs and fitted it with a chassis control switch similar to a Ferrari manettino.
A fitting tribute to the legendary pilot? We’d say so, and you can see for yourself in the high-res image gallery above and the press release below.
Continue reading Lotus custom channels the Esprit of Ayrton Senna
Lotus custom channels the Esprit of Ayrton Senna originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
May 1st, 2012 at 11:00pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Minivan/Van, Etc., Technology, Volkswagen, UK, Specialty
Few automakers do camper vans quite so well as Volkswagen. From factory additions to aftermarket conversions, models like the Transporter seem perfect for on-the-go living. Now a company in the UK has taken the camper conversion one step further with the Doubleback. In addition to a large pop-up roof tent, the creation boasts an expandable aft section than can increase the vehicle’s length by an additional 6.5 feet. The conversion is said to add just 286 pounds to the Transporter, and the mechanism expands in under 45 seconds to nearly double living space. Unfortunately, you’ll be splitting all that extra room between you and only one other friend. The swap nixes all but the front two seats.
If this all sounds familiar, it certainly should. We first caught a glimpse of the Doubleback a month ago, but the company has released a few videos showing exactly how the conversion works here in the real world. With a load rating of 1,323 pounds with the legs extended, the structure is engineered to sleep even the biggest boned campers out there. Unfortunately, snagging one will cost you. Look to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $87,975 for the Doubleback if you like what you see. Scroll below to check out the videos for yourself.
Continue reading VW Transporter Doubleback slides into production
VW Transporter Doubleback slides into production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
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