Hamann's Beastly 600HP Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Supercharged

Never quite understood the logic behind the creation of stupendously powerful off-roaders with supercar-like performance, but maybe that's exactly what makes them so attractive to those that can afford them: they don't make any sense to the rest of us... Hamann's latest take on the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG fits perfectly in this category of vehicles.


As if the factory model's supercharged V8 with 507HP wasn't powerful enough, the German tuner performed its magic upgrades to bump output to 600HP and 782Nm or 577 lb-ft of torque. The modifications result to a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5.1 seconds and a maximum speed of 261 km/h or 163mph. That's compared to the standard G55 AMG's 5.5 second sprint time and 210km/h or 131mph electronically governed top speed.


What some may call 'lipstick on a pig', Hamann identifies as an aero kit that comprises of a front spoiler with integrated LED daytime running lights, a rear skirt that incorporates a diffuser and a roof spoiler while the six tailpipes (three on each side), complete the looks.


The package include fender extensions that broaden the G-model by 40 mm at the front axle and 60 mm at the back axle allowing the use of ridiculously large 24-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 315/35 R24 tires.


The G55 AMG's interior can been deupgraded with aluminum accessories, a 24-part set made of carbon fibre, specific floor mats, a new steering wheel as well as custom velour upholstery.


Optionally, Hamann offers a 14-part exterior set made of carbon fibre for the air inlets on the bonnet, radiator grill, headlight protective grid, mirror cases, door handles and air inlets in the side wings.
Source:carscoop

First Drive: Rossion Q1 is a supercar for the slightly rich

"How fast can you take it?" I ask Craig Spuhler, Rossion's technical engineer and my passenger at this particular moment in time. "About 75 mph with an 85 mph exit speed." I was behind the wheel of a Rossion Q1 winding my way up a 270-degree decreasing radius on-ramp that shoots straight onto Florida's I-95. As Spuhler has put more miles on Rossions than anyone else alive, and I'd been in the car all of 15 minutes, I decided that 65 mph was a nice, sane, journalist-safe speed. Even in fourth gear there was enough twin-turbo'd torque to get me to 80 mph by the end of the ramp. Truth is, I could've done the deed at 75 mph in third, if not much, much faster.


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Mercedes-Benz Launches New Fuel Cell Car: Mercedes-BenzB Class F-CELL

Mercedes-Benz B Class F-CELL - New fuel cell car from Mercedes-Benz: 100 percent driving pleasure, zero emissions

Mercedes-Benz is launching its first series-produced fuel cell car on the road: the new B?Class F-CELL. The environmentally friendly electric car has better a performance similar to than a 2,0-litre petrol car and is fully suited for everyday driving. The zero-emission drive system consumes the equivalent of 3.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the NEDC (New European Driving Cicle). Production of the B?Class F-CELL will commence in late 2009 with a small lot. The first of around 200 vehicles will be delivered to customers in Europe and the USA at the beginning of next year.

The new fuel cell vehicle offers everything that people expect from a Mercedes-Benz: High comfort and safety as well as no reduction in interior space and boot capacity. Customers will not have to sacrifice any driving pleasure either, because the electric motor has a peak performance of 100 kW/136 hp and a maximum torque of 290 Nm, which is available from the first rotation. It ensures that the B?Class F-CELL, whose impressive dynamic handling properties are in some cases far better than those of a two-litre petrol car, gets off to an excellent start. Despite these qualities, the zero-emission fuel cell drive consumes the equivalent of only 3.3 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC). Thanks to its great range of about 400 kilometres and short refuelling times of around three minutes, the B?Class F-CELL ensures local zero-emission mobility even for long stretches.


"2009 is the year in which we are establishing further milestones where sustainable mobility is concerned. The B-Class F-CELL is taking on a pioneering role as the world's first fuel cell powered automobile to be produced under series production conditions", says Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Development for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The vehicle's technological heart is the new generation of the compact, high-performance fuel cell system, in which gaseous hydrogen reacts with atmospheric oxygen at 700 bar to generate a current for the electric motor. The fuel cell system of the B?Class F-CELL has a very good cold-start capability even at temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius. The drive system was completely newly developed versus the F-CELL A-Class presented in 2004, with Mercedes-Benz engineers achieving considerable improvements in output, torque, operating range, reliability, starting characteristics and comfort. The B-Class F-CELL now offers driving pleasure and day-to-day suitability at Mercedes level - without local emissions.

As in hybrids with combustion engines, the fuel-cell car uses a lithium-ion battery with an output of 35 kW and a capacity of 1.4 kWh to boost power and recover braking energy. Lithium-ion technology offers several advantages over conventional batteries, including compact dimensions, high performance, great recharge efficiency and a long service life.

The B?Class F-CELL employs the unique sandwich floor architecture that is well-known from the A- and B-Class. The advantage of this design is that the drive components are located in the sandwich floor, where they are protected and don't take up much space so that the vehicle's interior remains fully usable and a boot capacity of 416 litres is available.

The B-Class F-CELL does not need to fear comparison where equipment is concerned either. Eye-catching features include a bonamite silver paint finish and exclusive light-alloy wheels in a 10-spoke design. In the interior, leather upholstery, seat heating, automatic climate control and the COMAND-system, as well as other features, continue to ensure a high level of comfort.


Same level of safety as in other Mercedes cars

No matter what the conditions, the operational reliability of the B?Class F-CELL is of the same high level as in Mercedes vehicles with conventional combustion engines. The B?Class F-CELL's integrated safety concept takes the specific characteristics of the innovative drive system into account. The concept incorporates the expertise from the many years of experience Mercedes-Benz has had with fuel cell drives and high-voltage applications. Mercedes engineers have tested and optimised the drive-specific components' safety in more than 30 additional crash tests.

Network of filling stations required for car's widespread use

With more than 100 test vehicles and a combined total of over 4.5 million kilometres of trial testing, Daimler and Mercedes-Benz have the most extensive experience with fuel cell vehicles of any manufacturer worldwide. The B?Class F-CELL is further testimony of this technology's high level of development for automotive use. However, a comprehensive network of hydrogen filling stations still has to be set up before locally zero-emission driving can become a widespread reality. To make this possible, Daimler is cooperating with government authorities, energy utilities and oil companies in joint projects in places such as Hamburg, Stuttgart and California.

Mercedes-Benz views the development of electric cars with battery and fuel cell drives for local zero-emission driving as a means of supplementing vehicles with high-tech internal combustion engines. Advanced diesel and petrol engines will remain important for automotive applications for a long time to come - not only for individual mobility in passenger cars - especially over long distances - but, more importantly, for freight transport in trucks. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, will increasingly be used in urban transport.

Mercedes-Benz B?Class F-Cell technical data

Drive	Electric motor with fuel cell
Rated output (kW/hp)	100/136
Rated torque (Nm)	290
Maximum speed (km/h)	170
Consumption (NEDC) (l of diesel equivalent/100 km)	3.3
Total CO2 (g/km min.–max.)	0.0
Range (km) NEDC	385
Capacity of lithium-ion battery (kWh/kW)	1.4/35
Cold-start capability:	to -25 °C

via:fuelcellsworks

Frankfurt Debut: Wiesmann GT MF4 MF5 Roadster

Wiesmann is building a sports-car on the IAA

Wiesmann, the luxury sports car maker, surprises the visitors of the most important car-exhibition in Frankfurt with a special feature. In addition to the announced world premiere of the Wiesmann Roadster MF5, the Duelmen manufacturer will mount a car during the car-exhibition. "On this way we will be able to show our manufacturing skills and our productive efficiency to the exhibition-visitors, the customers, and the media-exponents. Like in Duelmen everyone can take a look at our work in Frankfurt", says business manager Friedhelm Wiesmann. During the building-process of the GT MF4 with a 4.8 litre 367 horse-power engine, two members of the staff will finish the work on the car. Sports-car-fans from all over the world will be able to join that event on a digital webcam. The logistic for this one very special event has already started because the montage had to start back in Duelmen.


Wiesmann is also very exited about finding two major partners for this event. The magazine auto motor und sport (www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/iaa) will act as media partner and will broadcast the event website. Beyond that the tool-manufacturer Festool who will provide the tools needed for the car-building.


Wiesmann is exhibiting at Booth B18 in Hall 5.

About Wiesmann
Wiesmann is the leading manufactory of purist sports cars, combining classic design with state-of-the-art technology. Since its foundation by Friedhelm and Martin Wiesmann in 1988, Wiesmann stands for the manufacturing of individual sports cars whose every detail is crafted by hand. The premium features are designed according to the customers' personal preferences, so every Wiesmann is a truly unique car and one that creates an exclusive driving experience for the individual unlike no other.
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Nice sub in the back

Subwoofer: Rainbow Vanadium 8"
AMP: MDS GP4

Videos: Nissan Pro Class 350Z

The first ever Pro Class 350Z to be seen in Europe will perform at the FIA European Finals at the Santa Pod Raceway in the UK that runs from September 10th to 13th, 2009. Created by owner and driver John Bradshaw, the Project Zed dragster is powered by a Nissan 350Z 3.5-litre V6 engine producing almost 1,900 horsepower.


"It's incredible to finally have the car ready to test now and we are all very excited by its potential. It really is a car that is capable of setting records around the world and just shows what a Nissan engine is capable of producing," said Bradshaw.


The lovingly prepared Project Zed is powered by a Nissan 350Z 3.5-litre V6 engine producing nearly 1,900bhp. Owner and driver John Bradshaw is thrilled to be taking his mighty machine to the famous Santa Pod Raceway, Northants. John comments: “It's incredible to finally have the car ready to test now and we are all very excited by its potential. It really is a car that is capable of setting records around the world and just shows what a Nissan engine is capable of producing.”


Nissan, which is supporting the Project Zed dragster, will have a stand at the show displaying its latest road-going sports cars, the GT-R and 370Z.


Source:carscoop

SPORTEC LAUNCHES 400 BHP STAGE ONE PERFORMANCE UPGRADE FOR NEW FLAGSHIP AUDI TT RS

Brackley, Northamptonshire, 24th August 2009

APS of Brackley, UK importer for the Sportec range of vehicle performance enhancements, is pleased to announce the launch of a Stage One engine performance upgrade for the new 335 bhp, turbocharged five cylinder Audi TT RS.

Careful data analysis by Sportec's technicians in Switzerland highlighted opportunities for performance enhancements within the standard Audi TT RS' engine management system, enabling the development of an effective ECU remap for the 2.5-litre TFSI engine.


From the factory, the Audi TT RS produces 335bhp at 5400 rpm and 450nm (328lb.ft) at 1600rpm. Sportec's Stage One ECU performance upgrade increases power to 400bhp at 5800rpm, while torque leaps to 401 lb.ft at 2650rpm.

Post conversion, the 0-100kmh time for the Audi TT RS falls from 4.6 to 4.2 seconds and in-gear acceleration times are greatly improved. Removal of the factory 155mph top speed limiter is included as part of the Sportec Stage One package.


Priced at £1200.00 fitted, including VAT @ 15%, the Sportec Audi TT RS Stage One performance upgrade is available now from APS of Brackley. For total peace of mind, Sportec's conversions are covered by a guarantee for the balance of the manufacturer's warranty.

Due to strong customer demand, a full program of additional complimentary performance, dynamic and styling upgrades for the Audi TT RS is currently in development at Sportec's base in Höri, Switzerland.


A demonstrator Audi TT RS, fitted with the Sportec Stage One performance upgrade, will be available for media testing soon.
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