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Drew Phillips

California - http://www.autoblog.com

MTM Audi TT RS packs up to 424 horsepower, 185 mph top speed

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:58PM

MTM Audi TT RS - Click above for a high-res image gallery

German tuner MTM has a long history with Audi's inline-five. In fact, company founder Roland Mayer helped develop the turbocharged five-banger for the Sport Quattro back in the mid-80s, and MTM produced a 400 horsepower version of the motor as one of their earliest performance packages. Nearly 20 years later the technology and the cars have changed, but MTM is still doing its thing.

Its latest project is Audi's TT RS, which boasts 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft torque in stock trim. MTM is offering three stages of engine packages ranging from 404 to 424 horsepower courtesy of tweaks to the engine control unit and and an upgraded exhaust system. Naturally, the Stage Three kit provides a substantial boost performance, including a top speed of 185 mph and a 0-100 km/h time of just 4.2 seconds. A variety of other upgrades are available as well, including MTM's 19-inch Bimoto wheels, 15-inch brakes with eight-piston calipers, and lowering springs. Follow the jump for the official press release and check out the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: MTM Audi TT RS

[Source: MTM]

From Cobra to Corvette: Superformance to introduce 1963 Grand Sport replica

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 11th, 2009 at 1:31PM

Superformance 1963 Corvette Grand Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite its relatively short list of on-track achievements, the original 1963 Corvette Grand Sport is arguably Chevrolet's most iconic racecar. Built to compete with the likewise-iconic Cobra, the Grand Sport dominated the Shelby when the two went head-to-head, but the program was axed by General Motors before it would make a significant impact on motorsports. Still, the five chassis have become coveted collector cars and command prices into the multi-millions of dollars.

While the privilege of owning an original Corvette Grand Sport is limited to just a fortunate few, Superformance is now offering the next best thing. The SoCal-based company is perhaps best known for their Cobra and GT40 replicas, but a new licensing agreement with GM has opened doors to produce a Corvette Grand Sport model that will be available as either a coupe or convertible. Customers will also have the option of a street or race version (pictured).

As with their GT40, Superformance have gone to great lengths to insure that the Grand Sport is as identical to the original as possible. They even acquired the original blueprints and molds to one of the original race cars to produce accurate components. Powertrain options will be nearly endless, as the engine bay has been designed to accept most of the GM Performance Parts crate engines. Hit the jump for the official press release from Superformance, or check out the high-res gallery of the Superformance Grand Sport race car below.

Gallery: Superformance Corvette Grand Sport

[Source: Superformance]

Lumma Design shows bizarre black-and-white BMW M5 with 730 HP

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 10th, 2009 at 7:30PM

Lumma Design CLR 730 RS - Click above for high-res image gallery

With its latest creation, the CLR 730 RS, it seems that Lumma Design is making a play for the title of Europe's most garish tuner. However, this two-tone widebody BMW M5 is actually subtle compared to previous Lumma Design models, and we think the title still firmly remains with Mansory.

So what's special about the CLR 730 RS? For starters, 730 horsepower. The 50% increase in chutzpah comes from a set of twin-superchargers courtesy of G-Power, and Lumma Design claims an impressive top speed of 228 mph. Additional performance upgrades come in the form of a sport suspension, six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes, and an upgraded exhaust system.

The candy cane interior of the CLR 730 RS is even more over-the-top than the outside, with a combination of carbon fiber, leather, and suede. It's not really our style, but we would probably be more accepting of it in a more subtle color. We have plenty of high-res photos in the gallery below, and Lumma Design's press release has full details after the jump.

Gallery: Lumma Design CLR 730 RS

[Source: Lumma Design]

Pics Aplenty: Mitsubishi shows off EVOlved 2010 Outlander GT

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 10th, 2009 at 3:59PM

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mitsubishi Outlander GT prototype made its debut in New York earlier this year, a sign that the Lancer Evolution's front end would be spreading to other models in the lineup. Along with the new look, the GT concept also received sportier options like 19-inch OZ Racing wheels, larger Brembo brakes, a lightweight aluminum roof and a slight bump in horsepower.

While we don't yet know exactly what features of the concept car will make it to the production version, we do know what it will look like. In addition to the our live photos we snapped last month at our favorite SoCal car meet, Mitsubishi has just released dozens of new photos of its new sportier-looking SUV. You won't have to wait long for the details, though, as we are scheduled to get behind the wheel of the Outlander GT next week. Until then, browse through the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

[Source: Mitsubishi]

SEMA 2009: Galpin builds custom '69 Mustang right on the show floor

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 6th, 2009 at 4:57PM

Galpin Auto Sports '69 Mustang build - Click above for high-res image gallery

While those of us in the media walked around the show floor at SEMA looking for the cool, the crazy, and the just plain awesome, there were people doing actual work. Real work. No, we're not talking about the security people that wouldn't let us in the show before 9:00am no matter how we tried to convince them, nor the food vendors charging $40 for a lousy pizza. We're talking about the guys at Galpin Auto Sports who spent each day of the show building a custom 1969 Ford Mustang from scratch.

The Mustang started off at the start of the show in literally thousands of pieces, and every time we walked by, we could see that the car was just a little bit closer to completion. The 427ci V8 was already in the Mustang the last time we saw it, and while we left before we could see the car completed, everyone at GAS seemed pretty confident that it would be finished by the time the show ended this afternoon. From the looks of all of the individual pieces, the end product should be pretty cool looking. Check out our high-res gallery below to see just how many parts it takes to build a '69 Mustang.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Galpin '69 Mustang Build

SEMA 2009: The Chevrolet Camaro 'splosion!!!

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 6th, 2009 at 3:20PM

Every 2010 Chevrolet Camaro we could find at SEMA - Click above for high-res image gallery

In past years at SEMA, there has always been a single vehicle that seems to be the most popular at the show. Last year, it was the Dodge Challenger and Nissan GTR, but there weren't enough to be overwhelming.

This year, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro came and infested the Las Vegas convention center like a muscle car cockroach. We couldn't seem to take ten steps without running into one, and by the end of the day, we had witnessed just about every way a Camaro could be customized. You want Lambo doors? You got 'em. How about slammed? Sure. Green? Yellow? Gold? Matte Blue? How about a convertible? Make it two. How about wide? Or ever wider. Engine swaps? Don't get us started. Try an LS7 or even an LS9. If forced induction is your thing, there were both turbocharged and supercharged Camaros. If you'd rather have a Pontiac, there were not one but two different Trans-Am conversions. Tuners like Callaway, Lingenfelter, Hurst, and Hennessey all brought out turnkey versions. There were pace car Camaros, drifter Camaros, movie theme Camaros, anniversary edition Camaros and charity auction Camaros.

To say the least, we've had our fill of Camaros for a long time. Still, we couldn't leave Las Vegas without sharing it all with you, so enjoy through the 100+ shot photo gallery below of every 2010 Camaro saw at SEMA.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Camaro 'splosion

SEMA 2009: Ford SVT Raptor even more appealing with 6.2-liter V8

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 6th, 2009 at 12:59PM

2010 Ford SVT Raptor with 6.2-liter V8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

If Ford had only offered the 5.4-liter V8 in the SVT Raptor and called it a day, we doubt anyone would have complained. Just the fact that the Blue Oval even had the guts to build such a vehicle deserves applause. But they didn't. The 2009 SEMA Show saw the introduction of Ford's 6.2-liter V8 in the most capable off-roading production truck ever built.

The larger powerplant offers increased performance – 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft torque to be exact – while matching the fuel economy of the lower displacement V8. Ford claims that the 6.2 will propel the Raptor about a second and a half faster to 60 mph, putting it in in the low seven second range. We doubt many owners will take their Raptors to the drag strip, but the extra power will surely be useful in gaining more speed for going off jumps.

The price increase is relatively reasonable - just $3,000 more - putting the starting MSRP at $41,995. Hit the jump for the press release or check out our gallery of live photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus puts on a good SHO

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:20AM

Ford Taurus Concepts at the 2009 SEMA Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

We didn't expect much from Ford's new fulls-size four-door at this year's SEMA show, but the quartet of Taurus Concepts were actually pretty impressive. The design lends itself better to customization than we might've thought, and we wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few owners personalizing the look of their cars.

The favorite Taurus around the Autoblog camp seemed to be the SHO built by Mobsteel with its sinister Jet Black paint, subtle body kit, and a 400 horsepower version of the EcoBoost V6. We also (surprisingly) liked the one built by Funkmaster Flex, along with the clean and simple SHO from MRT-Direct. You can see all four cars in our gallery of live photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus Concepts

SEMA 2009: Grunewald Racing Camaro sets its sights on 2010 Formula Drift season

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 6th, 2009 at 9:20AM

2010 Grunewald Racing Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

Conrad Grusewald has been an occasional participant in the Formula Drift series for the past several years with a supercharged C5 Corvette as his vehicle of choice for piloting around clipping points and narrowly missing concrete barriers while in opposite lock. For the 2010 season, however, he plans to step up the efforts with an all new 2010 Camaro built specifically as a drift car with Hankook Tire as the lead sponsor.

In addition to providing the Camaro for Grusewald, Chevrolet also pitched in an LS-A crate motor from GM Performance Parts that should produce more than 600 horsepower at the wheels. The car also features an Eibach suspension, carbon fiber body panels from Seibon, Forgeline aluminum wheels and more. Expect to see more of this car when the Formula Drift season starts in April, but until then you'll have to settle for our gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Grunewald Racing Camaro

SEMA 2009: 1962 Corvette C1-RS is a worthy Goodguys Street Machine of the Year

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 6:37PM

1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1-RS - Click above for a high-res image gallery

It takes a lot to win the the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year award, but this custom 1962 Corvette convertible you see here easily deserves the honor. The car not only looks incredible, but it posted the fastest time at the Goodguys autocross track as well! Every single one of the body panels on the car has been modified, and the majority of the components are constructed either of aluminum or carbon fiber.

Powering the C1-RS is an LS7 V8 putting out more than 600 horsepower, but we were most impressed with the eight carbon fiber intake trumpets on either side of the engine that bring air into the intake manifold. The interior was beautifully crafted as well, with a custom fabricated aluminum dash and console and Alcantara and leather seats. Check out the high-res gallery below to see all the details yourself, or follow the jump to read more about the car.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1-RS

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