Hamann Spiffs Up new BMW 7-Series with Mechanical and Cosmetic Upgrades

It's "Hamann" time for the new BMW 7-Series as the well-known German tuning house has released detailed info on its programme for the latest version of the Bavarian limo. Hamann Motorsports' offerings for the 7-Series sedan comprise of exterior and interior accessories as well as performance upgrades. Starting off with the aerodynamic pack, Hamann proposal consists of a new front apron with integrated LED daytime running lights, side skirts, a rear apron housing four round stainless steel end pipes, a rather gaudy boot lid spoiler and a roof spoiler.

Hamann allows customers to choose from a handful of alloy wheel designs from 19 to 22 inches. The largest rims are shod in 265/30ZR22 tires at the front axle and 295/25ZR22 tires at the rear axle.

For the car's interior, there's a bevy of accessories such as aluminium pedals and foot-rests render, floor mat sets and a full leather trim.

The visual upgrades are complemented by a sport suspension that lowers the ride height of the 730d and 740i by 40 millimetres at the front- and rear axles. For the 750i and 750Li, there is a special lowering kit consisting of two chassis springs and what Hamann calls, an "evening" kit.

According to Hamann, the company is still working on the engine kits that will include a tuning package for 730d boosting the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel's output from 245HP to around 290HP.

VW Adds new Sporty R-Line Trim to Passat Sedan and Estate Ranges

Volkswagen is enhancing it Passat sedan and Estate ranges in Britain with the addition of its sporty R-Line trim that is already offered on other models like the Tiguan SUV. Based on the entry-level S model and available with the same engine choices, the R-Line carries a premium of £600 over the S but comes with an additional £2,470 worth of equipment that includes 17-inch 'Monte Carlo' alloy wheels and an 'R' styling pack with front, side and rear skirts as well as chrome louvres and grille surround.

Key additions to the interior include cruise control, height adjustment and lumbar support on both front seats, a front centre armrest and leather multifunction steering wheel, as well as an electronic tire pressure monitoring system.

As with the S model, the R Line is offered with 1.4-litre TSI 122HP and 1.8-litre TSI 160HP petrol units and two 2.0-litre common rail TDI diesel engines producing 110 or 140HP. The higher powered diesel is available with the option of a six-speed DSG automatic gearbox while all other engines come with a standard six-speed manual gearbox.

With the presentation of the R-Line, VW decided to drop the Sport and SEL trims from the Passat's range.

1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa Sets New Auction World Record at €9.02 Million

As predicted, the legendary pontoon-fender 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa set a new world record on Sunday at the third annual Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event as RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby's managed to sell the historic Prancing Horse model for an astonishing €9,020,000 or with the current exchange rates, US$12.2 million. The most expensive motor car ever to be sold at an auction fetched €1,980,000 more than the previous auction world record which was set at the same sale last year.

"The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world - both in the room and on the telephone – competed to secure one of the most alluring and iconic of all Ferrari racing cars," said Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe.

The Scaglietti-designed 'pontoon-fender' 250 Testa Rossa was produced from 1957 to 1958 during which only a mere 22 examples were built. The Ferrari 250 TRs participated in 19 international championship races from 1958 through 1961 taking first place in ten of them. The specific 250 TR with chassis no. 0714TR, took part in many important races including the 1000 km Buenos Aires in January 1958.