AC Schnitzer Turns All-Electric MINI E into a Police Car [with Video]

In support of the German Automobile Tuner Association’s “Tune it! Safe!” campaign, AC Schnitzer built the MINI E Police Look Concept, which is being showcased at the 2010 Essen Motor Show. The idea behind the campaign is to create a car that can satisfy tuning aficionados and also meet safety standards.

The BMW Group's MINI E is powered by an electric motor with 204 hp on tap and plenty of low-down torque (maximum is 220 Nm or 162 lb-ft). It completes the standard sprint from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 152 km/h (95 mph).

AC Schnitzer’s comprehensive tuning package made it even better while the police livery is an interesting take on the “safety” theme.

Finished in the classic Polizei colors, the concept has the latest signaling system from Hella mounted on the roof and special wraps from Foliatec. Modified front and rear bumpers, plus lowered side skirts, improve the car's looks, while bonnet vents and a large roof spoiler complete the bodykit.

The tuner opted for new alloys, too. The 18-inch MI 2 wheels feature an 8-spoke design and are wrapped in high-performance Hankook Ventus S1 Evo tires. Stopping power is provided by an upgraded brake system, boasting 328mm 4-pot caliper (in front) ventilated disks. There is also a complete suspension kit.

Inside, the boys in blue are greeted by aluminum pedals, footrest and handbrake handle.

AC Schnitzer says that most of the tuning accessories shown on the concept model are either already available or will soon be offered for the production MINIs.

2010 Essen Motor Show: Brabus Mercedes SLS AMG Widestar

For most people, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 'Gullwing' looks just fine in factory tune. But not for Brabus. The German tuning house chose this week's Essen Motor Show to present its "wide-body" take on the Gullwing model.

The aero package is called Widestar and it encompasses a front spoiler, a rear apron with a new diffuser, blistered rear wheel arches with air inlets and outlets, and a boot lid spoiler. Engineers also sculpted the rocker panels, optimizing airflow between axles, and added bigger air outlets for the front fenders.

All components are made from carbon fiber and have been tested in the firm's wind tunnel. Clients can choose between a matte or glossy clear-coated finish for the body parts. If that's not their thing, optionally, the company can paint them in the body's color or in a contrasting tone.

To complement the SLS' new look, the ride height was lowered by 30 mm and a new, height-adjustable suspension was developed in collaboration with Bilstein. The driver can adjust the suspension's height with the touch of a button to make the car sportier or more comfortable than the stock SLS. Stiffer sway bars are also on the [optional] menu.

There's no Brabus without a proper set of wheels and the Widestar SLS is no exception. The Germans offer custom tailored ultra-light 20- and 21-inch front and rear Monoblock F Platinum Edition forged wheels, wrapped around in 275/30 ZR20 and 295/25 ZR21 Yokohama rubber. The new rims are bigger and lighter reducing unsprung weight and, thus, improving handling, the tuner claims.

Under the bonnet you'll find the same 6.2-liter V8 engine, albeit fitted with a high-performance and lighter (-12 kg or -26 lbs.) titanium exhaust system with sound management, which increases power by 10 hp.

As for the interior, Brabus offers a plethora of custom options, ranging from carbon fiber inlays in any desired color to an ergonomically shaped steering wheel. Premium upholstery is also offered, made from the fine leather and Alcantara.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Mental Breakdown: A 1,700HP Volkswagen Bus Dragster

Here's one Volkswagen Bus you wouldn't want to mess around with. It's called the Mental Breakdown and it's the creation of Wayne Allman from the British county of Warwickshire. Of the original 1965 VW model upon which it is based, only the driver's cabin was left intact. Power comes from an 8.4-liter supercharhed Keith Black V8 Hemi unit that runs on methanol and delivers 1,700bhp.

"I have always loved installing powerful engines in the wrong cars", says Allman who will show off the VW dragster model at this week's Essen Motor Show in Germany. Until the show goes live, check out at the photo gallery and a video from this year's test runs on the drag strip.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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Hamann and H&R Jointly Tune the Fiat 500 Abarth with 275HP

Tuning firms Hamman and H&R have joined forces to create a monster out of the Fiat 500 Abarth with an insane power boost to 275-horsepower.

Beginning with the engine bay, Hamann's engineers used forged pistons, enhanced connection rods, new camshafts and a modified turbocharger to increase the 1.4-liter petrol unit's peak output to an impressive 275 hp and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque. That's 196.4 hp/liter, more than double of what is considered to be an excellent ratio.

All that oomph is sent to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission with a race clutch, as the factory version would be torn apart. There's also a limited-slip differential (LSD) to improve traction.

It's clear that this Abarth must be very fast, so adequate stopping power is a must. The German tuner offers a choice of sport brakes, with four-piston calipers and discs ranging from 264 to 305 mm in diameter.

It would a shame if this much grunt wouldn't be accompanied by proper looks. Fortunately, Hamann didn't disappoint as it fitted the 500 Abarth with an aggressive two-tone bodykit, featuring modified bumpers, extra-wide wheel arches, lowered side skirts and two- or four-pipe exhaust system, plus a large diffuser.

Oversized 18-inch alloys wrapped around in 215/35 or 225/35 high-performance tires complete the package.

With Hamann's work done, H&R took center stage developing a new coil-over suspension and widening the car's tracks with wheel spacers. According to the company, these changes also made the steering more accurate as the firmer suspension reduces pitching and swerving movements to a minimum.

The H&R Hamann FIAT 500 Abarth will be on display at the Essen Motor Show, starting Saturday, November 27. More information on pricing and availability should follow soon.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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Fiat 500 Abarth in Polizia Livery coming to Essen Motor Show

We're not sure if it's allowed here in the States (though we can't see why not), but here's a cool idea for future owners of the Fiat 500 looking into personalization options. The Fiat 500 Abarth in Polizia livery is the creation of German suspension manufacturer Bilstein and it will be displayed at the firm's stand at this week's Essen Motor Show. Along with the colors of the Italian Police force, the 500 Abarth also gets a set of white alloy wheels and Bilstein's B14 threaded kit with variable height-adjustment.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

SpeedART Develops TITAN EVO bodykit for the Porsche Cayenne

At this week's Essen Motor Show, SpeedART will present a new bodykit called the TITAN EVO, which will be available for all second-generation Cayenne models, including the hybrid. In addition, there are also going to be a host of other mods available, such as mechanical and interior upgrades.

The TITAN EVO bodykit adds new front and rear bumpers, widened wheel arches and lowered side skirts. Furthermore, the German tuner replaced the standard exhaust with a twin-pipe system featuring a sound control on the hybrid and the Cayenne Turbo-based versions. Engineers didn't forget about the Cayenne Diesel, which can be also fitted with a sport exhaust system, albeit without the sound switch.

The Germans really went overboard with the wheels, offering 23-inch forged alloys, shod in ultra-wide 315/25 tires. They used special forging techniques, which make the over-sized alloys lighter than their cast 21-inch counterparts.

If more power is your game, SpeedART offers an extensive range of upgrades. Starting with the diesel model, the V6's output is lifted by 50 hp and 70 Nm (52 lb-ft).

As previously reported, the Cayenne S Hybrid gets +70 hp and +50 Nm (37 lb-ft), for a maximum output of 450 hp and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft). It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.9 seconds, same as the V8-powered Cayenne S.

Last but not least, the Turbo can be ordered with 550, 570 or 600 horsepower.

Clients who specified the stock Cayenne with air suspension can opt for a speedART electronic lowering module, while the conventional suspension can be upgraded with sport springs and coil-overs.

By consulting with the customers, speedART says it can modify the interior of the car to match almost any wish. But to give them an idea of what can be done, the car displayed at the Essen Motor Show will have sport seats with carbon fiber shells and special interior colors, alongside a rear-seat entertainment system with integrated iPad and iPhone docking station.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com