Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept: Wallpapers, Official Brochure and Video

Following up on our previous article on the Maserati GranTurismo MC, we’ve got our hands on a full set of high-resolution images, the official brochure and to top it off, a short video of the concept undergoing testing at the Monza circuit in Italy. The MC Concept is essentially a track-ready version of the GranTurismo S featuring an upgraded 450HP V8 engine, race-spec suspension and brakes, slick tires with 18-inch lightweight alloys and an aerodynamic package that includes a new front splitter, a boot spoiler and rear diffuser. -Continued

Inside the GranTurismo S has been stripped to bare metal gaining a FIA-approved rollcage, bucket seats and a racing steering wheel. The Italian firm hasn’t announced any plans to produce the concept but we have a hunch that the GranTurismo MC will be available for track-lovers in the very near future.

Video Via: Autoblog.it

BROCHURE

WALLPAPERS

Breaking News: Paul Newman Dies at the Age of 83

One of the greatest actors of our time and a vivid car aficionado, Paul Newman died on Friday, September 26 at the age of 83 after loosing a long battle with cancer. Paul Newman was a 10-time Oscar nominee winning one regular award for "The Color of Money" and two honorary ones, director, philanthropist, successful business man and something that many might not be aware of, a race car driver with his last major triumph on the track being the victory in the IMSA GTS class at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1995 which he won at the age of 70. But above all, Paul Newman was a great human being who never let the Hollywood star system get the best of him. We’ll definitely miss him.

VW Caddy PanAmericana Study - New Photos

In a world premiere at the IAA 2008 Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, VW presented the Caddy PanAmericana concept study based on the newly introduced Caddy 4MOTION. Think of the PanAmericana as something like a cross between a multipurpose minivan, a commercial van and an SUV. Sounds kinda messed up, but then again, isn’t that what crossovers are all about? Just like the new Caddy 4MOTION, the PanAmericana sports VW’s latest generation all-wheel drive system with electro-hydraulic Haldex clutch and a 105HP 1.9-liter turbo diesel engine that’s matted to a 6-speed manual gearbox. -Continued

Visually, the concept car that’s outfitted with two sliding doors is identified by the 16-inch wheels with all-terrain tires in size AT 215/70 R16, the higher road-clearance, the revised bumpers, the side skirts and protective underbody components in aluminum look as well as the PanAmericana signatures on the engine hood and two-section door-style tailgate. Other mods include the tinted taillights and black-background headlight housings.

In contrast to the PanAmericana’s ‘rugged’ exterior, the vehicle’s cabin features a series of luxury appointments such as the leather seats in natural brown tone finished with light gray stitches and the metallic accents. Additionally, the PanAmericana has been fitted with a set of matching leather pockets in the rear seating area that serve as extra storage compartments.

Video: 2011 Honda Insight Hybrid Spied Testing

As we’re patiently waiting to get a close up of the Insight Concept at the Paris motorshow, Honda is continuing the development of the production version of its Prius-killer. And talking about the Prius, if we didn’t know better, we could have easily mistaken the camouflage prototype that was caught on film by the folks over at Car magazine hot-weather testing in the States for Toyota’s 4-year-old hybrid model… Hit the jump to check out the video. -Continued

Via: Car

SEMA 2008: Hyundai Genesis Coupe tuned by Street Concepts

Joining the propositions from Rhys Millen and HKS, the Street Concepts Genesis Coupe is the third variation Hyundai’s new rear-wheel-drive Coupe scheduled to debut at the 2008 SEMA show in November. Unlike the other two tuning proposals that are equipped with turbochargers, the Street Concepts Coupe features a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine enhanced with a sport exhaust and cold air intake system. Other mechanical improvements include a modified suspension and Brembo brakes. -Continued

On the outside, Street Concepts will go for a black camouflage and what the company calls, “a stealth fighter-inspired paint design” complemented by a custom grille design, tinted taillights and an APR rear wing along with a set of 19-inch racing wheels. Interior modifications include carbon fiber dashboard accents, a custom Infinity audio system, Cobra seats and black suede accents.

Via: Jalopnik

Ford Kuga 2.5 Turbo Individual to Premiere in Paris

While Ford’s people here in the U.S. are fooling around with the all-important big-hog daddy F-450, their German counterparts are getting ready to present a new model in the Kuga range equipped with a 200HP 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine matted to either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the new powertrain options, the Paris Show Kuga 2.5 Turbo will also mark the debut Ford of Europe’s Individual vehicle customization program combining a new exterior body kit and 20-inch alloy wheels with new interior treatment options. -Continued

The rather aggressive, but quite tasteful aero kit was inspired from the styling of the iosis X Concept and Kuga preview show cars. The package consists of body colored wheel arch extensions, lower rocker claddings, and new bumpers which have been extended some 50 mm lower than the original design along with new chromed front grilles.

Other components include front and rear skid plates as well as door claddings, all painted in a contrasting silver color, and a new rear spoiler that has been lengthened by around 100 mm. The exterior styling is complemented by massive 20-inch wheels fitted with 255/35 ZR 20 tires. All of these body kit features are due to be made available to Kuga customers as production items in the first half of 2009.

The Paris Show Kuga 2.5 Turbo’s interior that also serves as a preview of what will be available to customers early next year, is fitted with dark leather seats that combine two different sets of materials - a softer Ebony colored Nappa leather for the seat bolsters and seatbacks and a more a more heavily grained 'Bond' leather for the rest of the seat. Both leathers are distinguished from each other by the use of a contrasting light grey piping.

Additionally, the Paris preview vehicle also features interior trim parts such as the center console cladding, center stack surfaces and the door-pull handles finished in a high-gloss 'Piano White' finish that supposedly matches the crossover's exterior color and seat-stitching. Our opinion is that we could have done without the glossy white accesories, but overall, the Kuga 2.5 Turbo Individual definetely looks the part. Too bad we won’t be getting to see it any time soon here in the States.

New Acura TL Gets 6-Speed Manual Gearbox in 2009

It looks like Acura’s trying to reach out to those that actually enjoy driving a car. Starting from next fall, the Japanese automaker will offer a new 6-speed manual gearbox on the 2011 TL SH-AWD model. Aside from the fact that it’s the first time that Acura has ever paired its all-wheel-drive system with a stick-shift, the new close-ratio 6-speed manual is approximately 110 lbs lighter than the Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission currently offered in the top-spec TL. -Continued

Furthermore, the 2011 TL SH-AWD 6MT models also benefit from suspension upgrades that include special coil spring and shock absorber rates tuned for flatter cornering with reduced pitching motions under acceleration and braking. The manual models also employ firmer engine and transmission bushings along with a sportier tuning for the steering wheel system.

According to Acura, the addition of a manual transmission, an all-new clutch system and suspension changes yield an 88 lb. reduction in overall vehicle weight and at the same time, improves weight distribution by 1-percent compared to the automatic model generating a 58/42 ratio versus the 5AT's 59/41 ratio.

Porsche Rewards Workers with €6,000 Bonus

Thousands of Porsche employees are to receive a €6,000 (US$ 8,750) bonus due to the company’s exceptional economic performance for the recently-concluded business year 2007/2008 that ended in July 31. The bonus that comes a year after a similar payment of €5,200 was made for the 2007 fiscal year will be given to each full-time employee who joined the firm prior to August 1, 2007. According to Porsche, €3,800 of this year’s bonus relates to the operative result, €700 is from financial transactions and €1,500 is in honor of Porsche’s 60th brithday. What kind of bonus are you getting this year?