Malignant Rumors: Jaguar Considering 2,000 Units a Year of Turbine-Powered C-X75

As Porsche begins development on the hybrid 918 Spyder, Jaguar is reportedly taking the idea of a limited-run production version of its Paris Motor Show C-X75 concept into consideration. Autoweek reports that the British luxury marque is discussing the possibility of building up to 2,000 units annually of its XJ220 successor. If you're thinking about getting the checkbook out anytime soon, though, hold it right there.

 

First, due to production methods and costs, a firm number has to be decided on in regards to the C-X75's volume. Then, over the next five to seven years, Jaguar will try to prove its futuristic micro gas turbines - which are actually cheaper to develop than an internal combustion engine - are feasible for a consumer vehicle.

Tony Harper, head of advanced powertrain development for Jaguar, says, "We're talking two to three years for implementation of the gas-turbine technology, then another three to four years to integrate into a vehicle."

Should this timeline be believed and the bookkeepers give Jag a green light, we could begin seeing mules of the futuristic turbine-powered supercar as early as 2012 or 2013. Don't worry; by 2017 the Matt Beaven-penned C-X75 should still be looking fresh.

 

ENCO Exclusive Audi Q5

German tuners Enco Exclusive have developed a new set of modifications for the Audi Q5. Although parts can be purchased separately, the full kit retails for €11,568.

The package put together for the five-door is meant to reflect a similar look as the Enco Q7, though there are distinct differences between the two bumpers. LED daytime running lights have been built in alongside enlarged air inlets, and a new hood lays above it all. New sidesills lead to a remodeled rear that now includes a rear spoiler and dual oval exhaust pipes seen on the Q7.

 

Carbon fiber has been used throughout the interior. Also thrown into the mix are 10×22-inch monoblock wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. Wheels come standard in silver and can be painted if desired.

You can read about the individual price of the parts in the press release below. The Enco Exclusive Audi Q5 is now available for order from the tuner.

New Subaru Impreza Design Concept

Enthusiasts may associate the Subaru Impreza with performance, all-wheel-drive, and rally prowess — but it isn’t exactly the most attractive thing on four wheels. That may soon change, however, if the new Impreza Design Concept, unveiled this afternoon at the Los Angeles Auto Show, is truly a sign of things to come.

Subaru Impreza Design Concept

Calling this a departure from the current car is a gross understatement. This is, quite frankly, a clean-sheet design, which abandons the rotund, bulging profile of today’s Impreza in favor of a tapered, sophisticated shape. Thanks to taut body lines and slender panel gaps, the concept carries a very mature appearance. Arguably, the only cues carried over from the present Impreza are the bold bumper fascias, wide stance, and flared wheel wells — all of which, Subaru says, are designed to emphasize the vehicle’s driveline.

Subaru tradition, the Impreza Design Concept sends power to all four wheels, thanks in no small part to the company’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. Power comes courtesy of a 2.0-liter flat-four-cylinder, which is derived from the company’s third-generation boxer engine range. Interestingly, Subaru’s fitted the show car with its continuously variable transmission — a feature new to the Impreza line, but likely essential to help the company improve fuel economy figures.

So, is this simply a showcase for Subaru’s new “Confidence in Motion” mantra, or is the Impreza Design Concept something more? Officials simply smirk when we ask, but we’d wager this is a good preview of the next-generation Impreza, much like the 2009 Legacy concept teased the then up-and-coming 2010 Legacy sedan.

Strip this show car of the camera-based rear-view mirrors, digital gauges, and expansive touch-screen interface, and you may well be looking at tomorrow’s Impreza. If so, we’re in for a real treat — it’s refreshing, frankly, to see Subaru infuse this much style into its.

Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG Concept

Mercedes gave up building mere automobiles a long time ago. The current obsession is building ground-bound rolling rockets like its latest offering, the 2012 CLS63 AMG. Not only does it have the thrust to reach orbit, but also the looks to impress any advanced civilization.

 Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG Concept

The original CLS defined the modern 4-door coupe concept with its release in 2004. The 2012 CLS63 sharpens the aesthetics but is more of an evolution of the same design, with most improvements under the skin. The design team at AMG focused on efficiency as much as performance improvement, but when we are talking about Mercedes, more power always seems to creep in. The CLS63, which was powered by an almost appropriately sized 6.2-liter V8, is now powered by a completely non sequitur 5.5-liter direct injection twin turbo V8. The M157 engine is actually 33 percent more fuel efficient than the previous unit while producing an extra 43 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque, bringing numbers up to 550 hp and 590 lb-ft with the optional Performance Package. With those kinds of numbers Mercedes could call it the CLSuzan and no one would care.

Leaning away from the industry trend of dual-clutch transmissions, AMG has chosen the Speedshift MCT seven-speed unit first used on the SL63. It replaces a traditional torque convertor with an electronically controlled wet clutch. The transmission has four modes of operation: Sport, Sport+, Manual, and Controlled Efficiency. In Sport+, Race Start function provides launch control. Controlled Efficiency employs a start/stop function to increase fuel mileage.

The CLS63′s suspension has been updated to match the new power output. The steering system now utilizes a variable assist feature that not only increases steering response and comfort, but also increases efficiency by only operating at the level needed. Adjustable ride height and variable damping allow the driver to select from Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes at the touch of a button. All of these options add up to a car that can be tailored to the driver’s taste and needs.

 

Nissan Concept 2012

 

Revitalizing the sedan isn’t anything new to Nissan — just three years ago it introduced the current seventh-generation Maxima as the new age affordable “four-door sports car” (or 4DSC) fit for mall sprees and canyon runs. Even still, Nissan’s design leaders say, the well-aged segment remains bland.

For 2010 and beyond, there is a need for the sedan (otherwise known as the “rational or functional choice”, Nissan Design America vice president Alfonso Albaisa explained) to evolve into a vehicle with “more emotion”.

“A new customer is coming into this mature segment,” Albaisa mentioned at a private media gathering. Said customer is no longer predominantly male and in need of an athletic everyday people mover.

 

“She’s between 30 and 40 years old,” the designer revealed. “She’s always respected the sedan, but she might be one that has a crossover or something else. The sedan has a value, but she thinks the sedan has become boring.”

Shiro Nakamura, Nissan senior vice president and chief creative officer (the main man in charge of all Nissan/Infiniti design), agrees. “Nissan crossovers are expressive. We’re trying to bring expression to the sedan.”

Under Nakamura-san’s guidance, everything also adheres to the “Spirit of Iki”. “Iki is the traditional Japanese way of expression,” he said. “(It is) fashionable, but not too showy. It has been used for over 500 years in Tokyo — mainly for common people.”

 

With that entire mindset, the automaker’s design houses in Kanagawa, Japan and San Diego, California collaborated to create the Ellure concept you see here.Although completely fresh, its modern physique remains distinctly Nissan with broad elements, strong shoulders, and well-hidden traits derived from Japanese culture. The tension, release, and interception of dynamic shapes plays a key role in the styling philosophy, too.

Crystalline LED lights are one trait designers employed to express a new emotion. Kinked, boomerang-shaped headlights look futuristic in a Tron sort of way and are matched with equally chiseled and drastically kinked LED taillights.

VÄTH Shows Mercedes E-Class E63

 VÄTH Automobiltechnik has unveiled their new tuning program for the Mercedes E 63 AMG.

 Dubbed the VÄTH V63RS, the car features a sinister exterior with a starless grille (€797), a boot spoiler (€333), a carbon fiber diffuser (€1,773), and a carbon fiber front lip spoiler (€1,416). Other styling tweaks include a suspension lowering module, which reduces the ride height by 30 mm, (€821) and 20-inch forged three-piece alloy wheels wrapped in high performance rubber (€8,211). Inside, the V63RS has carbon trim (€2,737) and velour floor mats with an embroidered VÄTH logo (€226).

 

Under the hood, VÄTH enlarged the cylinder head channels, installed new engine management software, and added new pistons, valves, sport cam shafts, a larger intake, and bigger exhaust valves (all for a whopping €19,635). Thanks to these modifications, the engine produces 605 hp and 690 Nm of torque (an increase of 87 hp and 60 Nm of torque). This allows the V63RS to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, before topping out at 340 km/h (211 mph). When it’s time to stop, massive 390mm brake discs (with 8 pistons fixed calipers up front) bring you to a halt (€5,355).

Nissan GT-R 2012 first look Design

 

The photos affirm that the styling updates we observed at the familiar Paris show will come here also, combining the revised front belt with twofold “rectifier balances,” newfangled LED running lights, and redesigned headlight innards, simultaneously as newfangled wheels, super enormous fatigue tips, and a revised rear diffuser.

 Both front and rear downforce measurements are declared to build by 10 percent considered in relation to those of the current auto, and Nissan moreover cases the for the most part coefficient of drag drops from 0. 27 to 0. 26, which is astonishing in light of the fact that joined downforce frequently builds the drag coefficient.

 

 

Ferrari 458 Design in Italia 2011

It appears Stasis’ tuned Audi R8 won’t be the only European supercar to grace the Specialty Equipment Market Association show. Oakley Design, a firm noted mainly for tuning Porsches, revealed today it plans on bringing a customized Ferrari 458 Italia to next week’s trade show.

Although Oakley has previously been tied to various Porsche projects, the company recently expanded its offerings to the new 458. In stock form, the Italia’s 4.5-liter V-8 cranks out an impressive 570 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, but Oakley’s team believed they could improve upon Maranello’s design. With a new intake system and a remapped engine computer, Oakley claims it was able to coax another 48 ponies and 20 pound-feet from the engine, bringing output to 618 horsepower and 418 pound-feet.

According to the tuner, the extra power helps thrust the 458 from 0-60 mph in a scant 3.0 seconds — four-tenths of a second quicker than a stock Italia — and to a top speed above the 205 mph mark. To help the driver retain control of the car at such speeds, Oakley’s custom front and rear spoilers create an extra 99 and 55 pounds of downforce, respectively.

To help set apart its 458 from stock cars, Oakley scrapped the standard five-spoke wheel in favor of giant HRE forged rims, which are both lighter and wider than the original hardware. Additionally, Oakley’s blacked out portions of the A-pillar, roof, and decklid, allowing the 458′s curved roofline to resemble a fighter jet’s bubble canopy.

Oakley plans on building five 458s itself, one of which will be at SEMA next week. For those who already own a 458 but desire some of Oakley’s touches, fear not — the tuning shop insists it will offer these performance and cosmetic upgrades a la carte.

Mercedes SL 500 - (2011)

Inden Design has unveiled a new tuning program for the pre-facelifted R230 Mercedes SL 500

Designed to mimic the SL 65 AMG, the body kit (€5,498) features new front and rear bumpers, aggressive side skirts, and a rear diffuser. Options include new taillights (€548), a carbon fiber rear diffuser (€1,448), unique door handles and mudguards in “lackluster black” (€820) or “pure carbon” (€1,420), and 20-inch Inden Champion wheels (€11,700) with high performance Pirelli tires.

 

Inside, customers can order a sports steering wheel (€1,059) and carbon fiber trim (€1,998).

 

 In terms of performance, Inden offers an adjustable sport suspension module (€1,398), a stainless steel exhaust system (€2,498), and an engine tuning kit for the M113 E50 engine which increases the output from 306 hp to 330 hp and removes the top speed limiter.