SEMA 2012: Romeo Ferraris Cinquone Stradale USA Tribute

Romeo Ferraris are showcasing their Cinquone Stradale USA Tribute, based on a Fiat 500, at the SEMA 2012 car show. It will mark Romeo's official entry into the US market with a new model, which is expected to be different from the Euro-spec Cinquone Stradale.

While the Euro-Spec Cinquone Stradale produces 300hp, the Cinquone Stradale USA Tribute will produce a total of 235hp from its 1.4 liter four cylinder engine featuring a turbocharger. Romeo added a wide body kit with bloated fenders, modified bumpers, a ventilated hood and revised side skirt. More details will be out soon as the tuner reveals it tomorrow.

[Photos by Effspot Photography]

2013 Rolls-Royce Ghost Official Worldwide Release

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has officially revealed the 2013 model year Ghost with subtle enhancements, such as new leather, stereo and boot release. There is also a new forged alloy wheel design next to the choice of 44,000 exterior paint options. The worldwide release follows an earlier showcase in Monterey at Pebble Beach 2012.

Thew 2013 Ghost gets the very best soft, natural grain leather and wood veneers used throughout its interior. It has also been fitted with an upgraded amplifier for the stereo and the addition of what Rolls-Royce calls "exciter" speakers in the headlining. These speakers are intended to improve the sound quality by emitting sound closer to the passenger’s ear.

The final upgrade is the option to the bootlid with your foot, first-ever on a Rolls-Royce. As long as you have the key in your pocket, the boot will open automatically once you – or your driver – places a foot underneath the center of the rear bumper. This is something we have seen before on Audi and BMW models.

Ford Mustang Mach40 by Eckert Rod Shop

Posted on 10.30.2012 18:00 by Simona Filed under: Ford | coupe | SEMA Auto Show | Ford Mustang | sports cars | car tuning | 2012 | Cars | Car Reviews | Ford

Ford has a stacked line-up for the upcoming 2012 SEMA Show, but they are not the only ones introducing packages for their vehicles. The Ford Mustang is also getting a ton of attention from tuners everywhere, from the Mustang "Boy Racer" by 3dCarbon to the Ford Mustang by M2-Motoring, and now from the guys at the Eckert Rod Shop. These fine folks will be presenting an amazing Mach40 pack that combines a 1969 Mach 1 with a 2006 GT40 for an amazing 850 HP muscle car.

Based on the Mach1 platform, the Mach40 was designed as a one-off supercar that will make any car enthusiast turn their head and take notice. It’s the perfect blend of both vehicles’ designs, but has the GT40’s superior 5.4 liter dual overhead cam GT super car motor upgraded with a Wipple 4 liter supercharger along with drive by wire throttle. In addition, the motor was converted to a flex-fuel system. The result is an impressive increase from 600 to 850 HP.

That’s all we have on the Ford Mustang Mach40 by Eckert Rod Shop so far, but more details about the Mach40 will be unveiled during the 2012 SEMA Show, so stay tuned!

Official: BMW F10M M5 by IND

IND has secured a huge following when it comes to tuned BMW’s. They usually build classy and subtle upgrades for BMW models. This time, the BMW F10M M5 is the subject and SEMA 2012 is the location. IND’s kit is the first stage of a comprehensive program that includes power upgrades, cosmetic upgrades and new aerodynamic parts.

The M5 you see in the photos is a two month project. The car features a range of different pieces including a prototype carbon fiber roof from Challenge Engineering producing 50lb of weight savings and a carbon kevlar trunk by Challenge Engineering saving 22lbs. The car also features a bespoke "street friendly" roll bar designed and installed by Fall Line in less than one and a half weeks.

The bodykit is 3D Design and includes a front lip and rear diffuser combination and a carbon fiber trunk spoiler. The M5 features carbon kevlar Recaro Profi SPA seats, a fire extinguisher and Sabelt six-point harnesses. Power upgrades will be offered by AMS Performance when the car moves into its second stage of development. Until then, IND sourced an Eisenmann exhaust system with quad 102mm tips.

The suspension benefits from KW ClubSport coilovers which includes three-way valving adjustment. The ride height is lowered for the SEMA event but will revert back to a more functional ride height at a later date. Brakes are from CarboTech, IND used their XP12 compound at the front, and XP10 compound at the rear, brake fluid is Castrol SRF. Finally, the wheels are BBS FI coupled with Falken 275 width at the front and 305 width rear tires.

Inside, the car features a custom rear closeout. The trim is upholstered in a matching Alcantara fabric, grippy aluminum performance pedals from 3D Design were added and IND machined a unique gauge pod.

The exterior design comes as a result of a ten-hour paint stripping process. The paint colour chosen is the Lamborghini Balloon White with a painted design, originally penned by Jon Sibal. IND aren’t finished yet, but we will have to wait a little longer for the second stage!

[Via Teamspeed]

2013 Kia Cadenza (K7) facelift revealed

2013 Kia Cadenza (K7)

A downsized Quoris.

Kia has released preliminary information about the 2013 Cadenza (K7 in Korea).

The latest generation debuted in 2009 and now has received a facelift that borrows some of the styling cues seen on the flagship Quoris (K9 in Korea model. As a result, it has a redesigned hood, updated trunk lid, new front and rear light clusters, Kia’s “tiger nose” grille, revised bumpers, along with side air vents in the front wings.

Engine lineup will probably remain the same, including the V6 3.5-liter engine with 290 hp (216 kW) and 249 lb-ft (338 Nm). Connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 2013 Cadenza can sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds, en route to a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).

Volkswagen introduces Herbie-inspired Beetle 53 Edition

Volkswagen Beetle 53 Edition 29.10.2012

Exclusively for Spain

Volkswagen has announced plans to introduce a Beetle 53 Edition in Spain.

Inspired by the iconic Herbie character from films like "The Love Bug", the special edition features a white exterior with tri-color body stripes, "53" badging and 17-inch alloy wheels. There's also additional standard equipment and a "Beetle 53" badge on the glove box.

Under the hood, three different engines are available. The entry-level model features a 1.2-liter TSI engine that develops 105 HP (77 kW). There's also a 1.6-liter TDI with 105 HP and a 2.0-liter TDI with 140 HP (103 kW).

The Beetle 53 Edition will go on sale shortly and Spanish pricing starts at €22,090.

Eisenmann Exhaust System for BMW F30 3-Series

Eisenmann has released their exhaust system for the BMW F30 3-Series. They are now offering handmade sports mufflers for the four-cylinder diesel versions (316d, 318d, 320d and 320d EfficientDynamics) as well as the sports turbo petrol version 328i.

The sports mufflers are available with either two or four round 76 millimeter end pipes. For the 328i, there is the optional extra of adding an intermediate muffler and a sound pipe, both of which make the sound of the turbo engine that much more aggressive.

A video featuring the sound of the new exhaust system can be viewed here!

Prices for the Eisenmann exhaust systems are as follows:

F30 saloon 316d (85kW), 318d (105kW), 320d (135kW), 320d ED (120kW)
ESD, 2x 76mm: EUR 773.50
ESD, 4x 76mm: EUR 1,249.50

F30 saloon 328i (180kW)
ESD, 2x 76mm: EUR 1,368.50
ESD, 4x 76mm: EUR 1,666.00
Intermediate muffler: EUR 892.50
Sound pipe: EUR 773.50

Scion FR-S "Carbon Stealth" by John Toca

Posted on 10.29.2012 19:00 by Justin Cupler Filed under: Scion | coupe | SEMA Auto Show | sports cars | car tuning | cool fast cars | Scion FR-S | Cars | Car Reviews | Scion

Just recently, we announced that Scion was planning a friendly little competition for the 2012 SEMA Show. In this contest, Scion handed each of three tuners a 2013 Scion FR-S base model and a $15,000 budget. The task at hand: to build the most awesome FR-S inside of the $15K budget. For their work, Scion will hand over a $10,000 grand prize.

The unfortunate reality of this contest is that, like most SEMA cars, these three FR-S' will likely be stripped and crushed just after the show, but we get to enjoy them for just a short amount of time. Scion has decided to let us in on the main specs of the three cars as we close in on the opening of SEMA, and one of these models is the "Carbon Stealth" FR-S by John Toca.

Scion's release on this car indicates that John built this car to give you the practicality and enjoyment desired from a daily driver, but the ability to toss it around a track at the drop of a hat. So, is this custom-built Scion FR-S really up to snuff?

Click past the jump to find out.

Nissan Stagea-based GT-R wagon has a V6 turbo

Nissan GT-R station wagon

V6 turbo with 400 hp.

The base of this car is a Nissan Stagea wagon but its owner decided to fully customize it and make it look like a GT-R (R35). Available for sale in Portugal, the vehicle has British license plates and costs 35,000 euros, excluding local taxes.

This custom version of the Stagea has GT-R-inspired exhaust pipes, 20-inch alloy wheels and front end, while under the hood it has a V6 turbo with 400 hp (298 kW). The equipment list includes ABS, ESP, electric windows, xenon headlights, cruise control, Bluetooth, electric and heated mirrors and a navigation system.

Based on the ad, there is another similar vehicle in the world.

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 by Donz Forged Wheels

Donz Forged Wheels released a set of photos featuring a Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and a custom set of wheels. We’re informed that Donz Forged Wheels latest Lamborghini Aventador project is owned by Chad Johnson of the Miami Dolphins!

We’ve seen his car before, when it featured a set of white and black rims. This time, the rims have been painted fully black. They measure 21 inches at the rear, and 20 inches at the front. The design is named Scarface and is a three piece construction.

Serbian Exona Concept Car

Serbian designer Nikola Novak has released this Exona coupe concept car. He created the 3D model based upon the Ferrari 458 Italia wheelbase.

He aimed to mix some elements of the Italian car brand, like the front and rear view from the Enzo. You can have a look at Novak’s designs in the gallery below.

[Via Carscoop]

Lexus GS 350 F SPORT gets supercharged for SEMA

Supercharged Lexus GS 350 F SPORT for SEMA 26.10.2012

Still no GS-F

Lexus has been coy about the rumored GS F, but the company has just announced plans to introduce a supercharged GS 350 F SPORT at the SEMA Motor Show.

Looking tastefully restrained, the car features a WALD International body kit which includes a front lip spoiler, revised side skirts and a trunk-mounted spoiler.  There’s also an RSR Super i coilover suspension, Brembo GT brakes and 20-inch Vossen CV7 wheels with Yokohama S.Drive tires.

Power is provided by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that has been equipped with an Apexi CG SPL supercharger kit, a Smart Accel throttle controller and a PTS Joe Z Series true dual header-back exhaust system.  There’s no word on how much the engine produces, but it undoubtedly develops more than the standard 306 bhp (228 kW) and 277 lb-ft (375 Nm) of torque.

Azure Blue Nissan GT-R with 20 Inch Vossen Wheels

Vossen wheels have released images of a blue Nissan GT-R they featured in a photoshoot sporting their VVS-CV7 wheels. The rims come in a matte graphite finish that matches the matte black trunk, roof and side skirts. The wheels come in sizes of 20×10.5 in both the front and rear axle.