Geneva Preshow: ABT Adds Style and Power to New Audi A7 Sportback

Less than month after ABT announced its plans to unveil its tuning take on the new Audi A7 Sportback at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the Volkswagen Group specialist has shared the first photos and details on its available packages.

The rather modest cosmetic upgrades include a front apron along with discreet side skirts and a rear apron that makes space for the new rectangular-shaped quad tail pipes. The luxury fastback's stance can be further enhanced with a lowering kit and a choice of various alloy wheels available in sizes from 19- to 21 inches.

ABT Sportsline also offers a variety of power kits for the A7's range of engines. Starting with the popular in Europe 3.0-liter V6 TDI, after the German firm's engineers tweak the turbo diesel unit, power jumps from 245HP to 282HP, while a second stage kit that brings an in-house turbo charger can boost the TDI's output to 310HP and 610Nm or 450 lb-ft of peak torque. For the gasoline lineup, ABT's offerings are limited for the time being to the 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which gets a jump from 300-horses to 410HP.

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Hamann’s Tuning Program for BMW 5-Series Models fitted with M Sports Package

Buyers looking to tune their cars these days can choose between factory packages and aftermarket kits, and usually it's one or the other. But that's not the case with Hamann Motorsports, which is extending its offerings for the latest generation 5-Series to include an individualization program for those that have opted for BMW's recently launched M Sports Package (see here).

The German tuner's program includes a set of aerodynamic components that are adapted to the original M Technik front and rear aprons, along with a boot lid and roof spoiler, and bespoke side skirts.

Even though BMW's M package already includes 18-inch or 19-inch alloys, Hamann will more than gladly replace them with its own set of 21-inch wheels wrapped around 255/30 ZR21 tires at the front and 295/25 ZR21 at the back, at a price of €4,760 or close to US$6,500.

A suspension kit that drops the ride height by another 35mm, a four tailpipe sports exhaust system and a number of interior upgrades such as a 10 piece carbon fiber trim set, aluminum pedals and a unique steering wheel complete Hamann Motorsport's offerings.

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Geneva Preshow: Lotus Joins Forces with Mansory to Tune the Evora

Mastering the fine art of tuning is a complicated process and, judging by the sheer number of overkills one can see on the web every day, it’s clear that only a few have what it takes to do a good job. For Lotus that special someone is Swiss tuning firm Mansory, which is responsible for the creation of an Evora concept that will be presented at the Geneva show in the beginning of March.

The automaker released two pictures of the special version 2+2 sports coupe, while also stating this:

“Let’s be clear on this: contrary to media reports, what you’ll see in Geneva is NOT an Evora facelift. It’s a taste of the future of Lotus product customisation. Merely the first toe in the water and a showcase of the potential future.”

From what we can tell, the modified Evora features a new front bumper with bigger air intakes and inserts, which appear to be made out of carbon fiber. The same lightweight composite material seems to have been used for the side vents, mirror housings, side skirts, greenhouse, rear spoiler and oversized diffuser. The 10-spoke alloys with a glossy black finish are also new.

While we can’t say that the Evora is our favorite Lotus, overall the bodykit looks nice and it seems that the Brits are really on to something good here.

By Csaba Daradics

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Shelby Introduces Limited Edition 2012 Shelby GT350, Adds Convertible Option for the First Time Since 1970

At the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, Shelby unveiled the limited edition 2012 Shelby GT350, which enters the new model year with two fresh color options and, for the first time since 1970, a convertible body style. Based on the Ford Mustang GT, the Shelby GT350 comes with three engine choices, including a base version with a naturally aspirated 430HP V8 mated to either a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission, and two supercharged variants delivering 525HP and 624HP.

The new color options are Race Red and Kona Blue, both with white Le Mans stripes, while the Performance White with blue Le Mans stripes combo continues for the 2012MY. Last but not least, the new GT350 convertible can be ordered with a light bar, while other options include a once piece drive shaft and color coordinated billet aluminum engine cap set.

“Last year, we brought back the GT350 45 years after it was launched,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “They look and sound just like the ones we built in 1965. We’re repeating history by offering two additional colors and building a few convertibles for the second year of production.”

Prices, not including the donor Mustang GT, start from US$26,995 for the naturally aspirated version and US$33,995. The company said it plans to keep production limited to 350 units.

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Is the Cougatti Just the Purtiest 2002 Mercury Cougar you ever did see?

Sure, most people would love to have a Bugatti Veyron; sadly, at over a million bucks a pop we're talking a vehicle that's slightly out of reach for most consumers. Thankfully, one man and eBay have rectified this issue with something we'll call a Cougatti (or Bougar).

Based on a 112,000-mile 2002 Mercury Cougar with a V6 and automatic transmission, this one-of-one Cougatti has a starting bid of $89,000 and no takers as of this writing. Potential buyers get all the body work, 20-inch wheels, angel eye HID headlights, LED tails, two gas caps (one functional), and power windows/mirrors.

No pics of the interior just yet, but the seller says it is "in progress" and "very close to being ready for upholstery".

Is this cross-bred creature a crime against humanity or a bargain basement show car? Leave your comments down below.

By Phil Alex

Link: eBay

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German Tuner Thinks Louis Vuitton-esque MINI JCW with up to 252HP Looks Kewl

We're no luxury handbag experts, but the first thought that comes to mind upon seeing CoverEFX's MINI John Cooper Works [JCW] tuning proposal is a....Louis Vuitton bag on wheels. For obvious reasons, the monogram canvas is different than the one found on the products of the famous French design house, but its styling as well as the colors and the leathery texture of the special foil wrap all point to an inspiration that come from Louis Vuitton.

The new look is complemented by a set of matching matte black and matte gold metallic 17-inch OZ LM alloy wheels surrounded by Toyo R888 205/40 R17 84W tires.

In the performance department, CoverEFX says it offers two stages of tune for the 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo engine. The first adds an ECU upgrade along with a 2.5-inch exhaust system with Milltek downpipe, sports catalyst and extra large sports air filter to lift output from 211HP and 280Nm to 236HP and 350Nm. The second stage includes a more aggressive software tune pushing output to 252HP and a maximum torque of 382 Nm.

A short shift kit for the gearbox and a stainless steel KW Variant 3 suspension round off the performance upgrades.

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