Modified Cars Blog

Renault revives the Gordini badge

Brett — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:02:26 +0000

Renault has confirmed its intention to relaunch the Gordini badge next year for European market. Back in March, Renault’s director for global marketing revealed Renault’s plans to relaunch the badge at a performance level above the Renaultsport! First up will be the Renault Twingo Gordini RS, which will debut at the L’Atelier Renault in Paris on 25 November, followed by the Renault Clio Gordini RS, which will be launched early next year. A Renault Megane Gordini RS coupe is also in the pipelines.

The Gordini badge became a symbol of success for Renault in years gone by, having been derived from Renault’s supreme racing engineer, Amédée Gordini, and being adorned on the iconic R8 Gordini, which dominated rallying in the mid-1960s. The Gordini range will be available exclusively in the brands iconic French racing blue with white racing stripes color scheme.

[Source: Renault]

BMW M3 GTS

Brett — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:11:30 +0000

BMW’s M Division have released the most hardcore street legal E92 M3 to date in the form of the BMW M3 GTS! With its large front splitter, rear wing, and 19-inch alloys wheels with 225/35 tires up front and 285/30 at the rear shrouded in wide wheel arches the GTS looks a serious piece of machinery! But it’s not just all looks; the M3 coupe is stripped down to just 3285 lbs, about 419 lbs less than the stock M3 coupe. Weight reduction is accomplished by replacing the interior components with light-weight materials, and removing the air-con, navigation and audio system, and the rear seats!

Powering the BMW M3 GTS is a 4.4-Liter version of current BMW M3’s V8 engine tuned to produce around 450 bhp and mated to a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission with adapted shift characteristics! As you’d expect, the suspension has also been tweaked for better roadholding and cornering precision. BMW claims the GTS is aimed at beating the lap time of the legendary M3 CSL on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, but we suspect it’s aimed more at the recently launched Porsche 911 GT3 RS!

The BMW M3 GTS will be available in Germany from May next year at a retail price of €115,000 plus taxes.

[Source: BMW M Division]

Chrysler to drop the Dodge Viper

Brett — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:43:18 +0000

Chrysler has brought muscle car enthusiasts some good news and some bad news today.

First the Bad News:

The long rumored bad news is that the Dodge Viper is indeed to be dropped with the production of the current Dodge Viper coming to an end in July next year. A special edition limited to a 500 production run will be released to commemorate the end of the Viper.

Then the Good News:

Chrysler insists the final limited edition Dodge Viper will be the most special Viper ever! But that’s not really the good news; the good news is that an all-new car is being developed with the help of FIAT to replace the Viper! A car Chrysler claims will be much better than the Viper!

Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec coming to SEMA

Brett — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:18:32 +0000

The Korean car manufacturer, Hyundai, is set to up a smile on the face of car tuning enthusiasts at next month’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas with the release of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec! The R-Spec is specially designed for car tuners and comes without cruise control, Bluetooth, the trip computer and steering wheel audio controls and without a rear wing but with the core performance equipment from the 2.0T Track model, which includes 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes and a Torsen limited-slip differential.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-Liter 4-cylinder engine with dual continuously variable valve timing that produces a maximum of 210 bhp. The engine is coupled to a 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission. The R-Spec will be available only in white, red and black with at a relatively modest price of only $23,750!

[Source: Hyundai]

Lexus LFA supercar to debut at Tokyo

Brett — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:32:18 +0000

Toyota Motor Corporation is set to give the production version of the long awaited Lexus LFA supercar its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. Several concept versions of the LFA have been displayed at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2005, 2007 and 2008 but only 500 units of the LFA will be produced worldwide and will be sold at a hefty $375,000 each! Despite the heavy price tag, Lexus still expects to make a loss on the LFA!

The Lexus LFA will be powered by a newly developed high reving, light weight 4.8-liter V10 engine with the redline at 9,000 rpm! Lexus claims that 90% ofLFA’s torque will be available from 3,700 rpm! The V10 engine will be mated to a six-speed ASG transmission with four driving modes and a seven-stage shift-speed selector. Stopping the car will be high-performance carbon ceramic (CCM) brake discs and an electronically controlled braking system.