Smart ForTwo Wide Bodykit from Konigseder

Even though the Smart Fortwo gets all the attention for its miniscule size, a slightly wider body wouldn’t harm anyone. Austrian tuner Konigseder has developed a wide bodykit for the new Smart ForTwo that adds an extra 30mm on each side of the car along with some fancy pancy flower graphics -don't ask why.

This allows the placement of larger 5-spoke 17-inch alloys (7,5 x17 front and 9,5x17 rear). To make the car look more aggressive and to better its road handling credentials, Konigseder also added a set of Eibach sport springs that bring the ForTwo closer to the ground –now you can fit right under your neighbor’s Explorer with the 26’’ rims. -More pics after the jump

Peugeot 207 Le Mans Series with 1.6 Turbo Diesel & Petrol Engines

Paying homage to its successful diesel-powered 908 HDi FAP Le Mans race car, Peugeot has introduced a special edition version of its subcompact hatch, the 207 Le Mans Series. Production of the special edition 207 that will be available with two engine choices, a 175Hp 1.6 Turbo petrol and an 110Hp 1.6 Turbo Diesel, will be limited to 2,000 units across Europe.

Customers can choose between two colours for the 207 Le Mans Series, Banquise White and Obsidien Black. Form the outside, the most prominent features of the 207 Le Mans Series are the decorative longitudinal red stripes and the red lion-head figure on the doors. Moreover, the limited edition 207 also gets 17-inch alloy wheels, a chrome-shadow optics pack for the lights and a “Le Mans Series” badge on the tail-gate. Inside and apart from the sport trim, Peugeot has added an aluminium numbered plaque on the steering wheel.

2009 Ford Focus RS Official: 2.5-liter Turbo with 280 PS!

These are the first official images of the all-new Ford Focus RS, a pre-production version of which will be shown at the 2008 London Motor Show in late July. The Focus RS, shown here lightly camouflaged while undergoing performance and durability testing at the challenging Nürburgring Circuit in Germany, will enter the European market in early 2009.

The all-new Focus RS features a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre engine, based on Focus ST, but significantly revised to generate over 280PS and more than 400 Nm of torque. Power will transferred to the front wheels, with a limited slip differential helping to get those 280PS on to the road. Further technical details of the all-new Focus RS will be released closer to launch. -Continued

Jost Capito, whose Team RS development group were responsible for the first generation Focus RS in 2002, and more recently, the Fiesta ST and the new Focus ST, said: “The new Focus RS is as much a car for driving enthusiasts as the one before it and classic Ford RS models of the past. We’re staying true to the core RS principles of a no-compromise, affordable high performance road car you can live with. The new Focus RS will have the muscles, heart and soul of a genuine RS and will be exciting to drive every day.”

"We have no doubt that we can enhance the acclaimed qualities of the already excellent Focus for an even higher performance model than the ST," Capito added. "Now, we are going through the rigorous job of proving out our technical approach in extensive testing and tuning over a variety of roads including the most demanding track in the world, the "Green Hell" that is the Nürburgring Nordschleife!”

"With two consecutive Manufacturers’ World Rally Championship titles and the success of Fiesta and Focus ST models, we have the knowledge and the experience. The time is right for Ford to deliver a new high performance model for the legions of loyal Ford RS customers around Europe," Capito concluded.