Autoblog

Toyota unleashes 2010 Prius Modellista aero kits

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Budget, Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius Modellista kits - Click above for an image gallery

To coincide with the official launch of the 2010 Toyota Prius in its home market of Japan, the automaker has unleashed a whole slew of styling and performance upgrades available through Modellista, its in-house tuning arm. There are three separate body kits available that offer varying levels of flair: Modellista Versions 1 and 2 and an Aero Tourer Kit. We're not so sure the exterior bits from the Aero Tourer kit actually improve the car's looks any, but perhaps they improve its already stellar aerodynamics somewhat.

Questionable aesthetics aside, there's also a few aftermarket bits that could potentially improve the car's handling performance, like optional 16-inch alloy wheels and a new set of springs that lower ride height by 20 millimeters. At this point, it's not expected that Toyota will import any of these kits outside of Japan, but, if you're really interested, there's always eBay.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius Modellista kits

[Source: Modellista via Le Blog Auto]

Toyota unleashes 2010 Prius Modellista aero kits originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 May 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets AMG sports package

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, AMG

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG sports package

For those more interested in the way their car looks or goes around corners than how fast it accelerates, Mercedes-Benz has announced an AMG sports package that will be optional with any powerplant available for the new 2010 E-Class hitting European showrooms in March.

Exact pricing depends on the engine chosen and will start at around 3,000 Euros (around $3900 USD). For that sum, the buyer gets a unique set of aprons along with side skirts and 18-inch AMG alloy wheels. We definitely prefer this sportier look to the more stately standard kit. Inside, a set of microfiber and faux-leather seats for your bum join a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles for your hands and aluminum pedals for your Piloti-clad feet. Performance-oriented bits include a suspension drop of 15 millimeters along with perforated brake discs with silver-painted calipers up front. Sample the high-res gallery below and then check out the full press release after the break.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG sports package

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets AMG sports package

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets AMG sports package originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get ready to vent: Lorinser kits the new SL

Alex Nunez — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the new Lorinser SL kit

With the arrival of the new Mercedes-Benz SL, it's time for all the usual suspects to update their body and tuning packages accordingly. Observers familiar with Lorinser's stuff know what to expect here, and in typical fashion, there's enough mesh grillework to allow for every conceivable cooling need, real or imagined. A large vertical vent replaces the "gills" that are standard on the current SL's front fender. There's also an opening in the side skirts ahead of the rear wheel, and a wide grille spanning the area between the exhausts, too. The whole affair sits on a lowered suspension, and big Lorinser alloys fill up the wheel wells. Power upgrades aren't ready yet, so for the time being, the kit's an all-show, same-go proposition. Image-conscious buyers will want to keep their original tri-star grille emblem handy, as that much plainer Lorinder badge isn't going to impress the neighbors nearly as much.

Gallery: Lorinser Mercedes-Benz SL

[Source: Lorinser]

Get ready to vent: Lorinser kits the new SL originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arden Jaguar XF AJ 21 one custom kitty

Michael Harley — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedan, Jaguar

Arden, the German tuning firm that's been tweaking Jaguars for decades, is teasing us with this concept shot of its new Jaguar XF AJ 21. We just drove the 2009 Jaguar XF and felt the sheetmetal was lacking some excitement. In a good manner, it appears that Adren has addressed some of our concerns with its aerodynamic sport package including new front and rear bumpers, new side skirts, and a more aggressive wheel package. Look closely and you'll notice the cat is back on the hood (maybe too much redundancy, considering the badge is just below it as well?). Expect more photographs, specifications and pricing in the near future.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Jaguar XF

[Source: CoolBrit]

Arden Jaguar XF AJ 21 one custom kitty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Poor man's Porsche "Carrera GT" Boxster

Erin Mays — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Auctions

Click photo for gallery

So many things are possible thanks to the wonders of eBay. Tea with Nelson Mandela? No problem. Ferrari Enzo? Sure, you can have one, and you can even get one with a 26-year-old woman tacked onto the deal.

Needless to say, we aren't surprised to come across a Porsche Boxster with a Carrera GT bodykit -- recessed doors, power hardtop convertible, Tiptronic (or "Triptonic," if you look at the auction listing), and just 16,000 miles on it. It also sports new rims worth $6K. The seller is moving to Hawaii, lucky dog, and has "too many cars," as if there is any such thing.

With a reserve of over $50,000 we're not exactly expecting a blowout, but it is a cool knock-off for significantly less than a bona-fide Carrera GT -- and with Porsche engineering, still. Place your bids here.

Thanks for the tip, Zac!

[Source: eBay]

Gallery: 2002 Porsche Boxster Carrera GT Replica

eBay Find of the Day: Poor man's Porsche "Carrera GT" Boxster originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi's SUV gets a makeover by PPI

John Neff — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, SUV, Europe, Audi

The Audi Q7 is the embodiment of being fashionably late, having arrived on the scene at the tail end of the SUV bubble looking like a million bucks. No doubt it will still win customers with its combination of expensive looks and performance above and beyond what traditional utes offer. Still, the aftermarket loves to tinker and the Q7 is a willing canvas. The newest body kit to be offered for Audi's SUV is the PS Q7 by PPI, a German tuning company you might remember for the single-frame grilles they sell for last-gen Audis and the monster 600-hp Audi A8 Executive sedan.

The PS Q7 is adorned with aggressive cosmetic enhancements that include a new front bumper with large air intakes, four small fog lamps, and a matte carbon fiber splitter below the big Audi grille. The new bumper also reportedly reduces lift on the front axles at speed. Side sills with small exhaust vents behind the front wheels take up residence on the Q7's flanks while a new rear bumper with two cutouts for PPI's 4 pipe stainless steel exhaust dress up the rump. A tasteful rear spoiler is also located above the rear window.

PPI placed 22-inch one-piece alloy wheels at each corner, which are tucked under each fender thanks to the PPI sport module, a chip that allows the Q7's air suspension to go lower than stock. A big brake kit has also been installed to scrub off speed that the PS Q7 accumulates from its various stages of tune. The top Stage II package increases the power of Audi's 4.2-liter V8 all the way up to 600 horsepower, just like the A8 Exec express.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Continue reading Audi's SUV gets a makeover by PPI

Audi's SUV gets a makeover by PPI originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico hops up the new 2007 Volvo XC90

Randall Halcomb — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Europe, Crossover, Volvo

Ah, the trials of being a tuner, especially one that creates its own line of body enhancements. When Volvo gave the XC90 a face-lift for 2007, Heico Sportiv had to respond to the updated Swedish SUV with a new kit in which to wrap it. The biggest improvement is the use of a material called PU-RIM plastic. This material is touted as 'brakeproof', which should be translated breakproof to us. Regardless, the front and rear enhancements are three-piece designs and give the XC90 a more butch appearance. The front skirt includes cut outs for fog lights, which can be upgraded to cornering lamps. There is even an optional dual exit exhaust that can be added to complement the rear apron.

Heico can also outfit your XC90 (or any other late model Volvo) with performance parts to go with that body kit, including ECU upgrades, suspension packages, and brakes kits. If you want, you can also get the aluminum door pins or other interior goodies so that your investment in Heico parts doesn't go unappreciated inside the cabin.

[Source: SwedeSpeed]

Heico hops up the new 2007 Volvo XC90 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fusion 3dCarbon last of previewed SEMA vehicles

John Neff — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Sedan, Ford

The Jalopanese folk have just posted pics and info of last of three vehicle Ford previewed for the media today, the 3dCarbon Fusion. Though it's basically just a six-piece body kit for the Fusion, the look is sharp and, like the F-150 FX2 Sport Extreme reminded us of the SVT Lightning, the 3DCarbon Fusion has us pulling out old photos of the SVT Contour and sighing repeatedly. Many of you will no doubt appreciate 3dCarbon leaving off the silly graphics, stripes and paint on this vehicle and letting us see it in a more natural state of execution. The body kit includes a front air dam with a two extra chrome bars (bringing the total of chrome bars on the Fusion's face up to five), side skirts, a rear lower skirt, an upper deck spoiler and a rear deck spoiler, all manufactured in urethane instead of fiberglass. Plus, this particular Fusion has all-wheel drive and 3dCarbon added Brembo brake calipers and drilled rotors for some visual panache. All told, Ford would be hard pressed to make a factory-backed sport edition of the Fusion look better than this kit. 3dCarbon is bringing tuned versions of the Edge, Lincoln MKZ and MKX to the SEMA show, as well. Follow the Read link for pics of the 3dCarbon Fusion from more angles.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Ford Fusion 3dCarbon last of previewed SEMA vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Oct 2006 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DAMD if you do: Mitsubishi Outlander tuned by DAMD

John Neff — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Japan, Mitsubishi

You may remember DAMD as the Japanese tuner house that grafted an Aston Martin nose on a Nissan 350Z (more on that in a later post). Now the aftermarket company has set its sights on the brand new Mitsubishi Outlander, which in our opinion looks just fine off the showroom floor. But those DAMD tuners went and produced a three-piece body kit for the Outlander that includes a new front spoiler, rear apron and side skirts. A new grille insert can also be bought to finish off the company's kit. The wheels are 20-inch in diameter and look to be about all the Outlander's fenders can handle. We wish we could tell you this DAMD Outlander was packing some heat over and above the stock 3.0-liter V6 producing 220 horsepower, but DAMD produces parts strictly for show, folks. If you live in the U.S., however, it makes no difference as DAMD sells its wares only in Japan.

More pics after the jump...

[Source: World Car Fans]

Continue reading DAMD if you do: Mitsubishi Outlander tuned by DAMD

DAMD if you do: Mitsubishi Outlander tuned by DAMD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scion tC Spec Package priced for tuners

John Neff — Wed, 24 May 2006 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Car Buying, Tuners, Coupe, Scion

Veteran tuners know that the best sport compacts are built from base models, not range toppers. That's because base models are blank canvases ready to accept new wheel and tire combos, body kits, head units, seats, paint and every other mod in a tuner's arsenal. Scion apparently understands the tuner and is releasing a Spec Package for the tC in 2007. The 2007 tC Spec Package is a bare bones tC that starts at $15,000 for a manual and $15,800 for an automatic. It's got steel 16-inch wheels and comes in four basic primer colors - Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. It retains the tC's fixed glass panorama roof yet has unique upholstery and a urethane steering wheel. Considering a standard tC starts at $16,400, the new Spec Package prove popular with the public at large and not just tuners looking for a blank slate when it arrives at dealerships next month.

[Note: 2007 Scion tC shown, pics of the Spec Package have not been released by Toyota/Scion yet]

[Source: Toyota]

Scion tC Spec Package priced for tuners originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 May 2006 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ROUSH unleashes Stage 3 Mustang

John Neff — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 07:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford

Click pic for higher rez version

Mustangs were all the rage at the New York Auto Show this year and the frenzy of Ford stallions continues with Roush's announcement of its Stage 3 Mustang. Called "the best Mustang we have ever built," by Jack Roush himself, the Stage 3 Stang features the GT's 4.6L V8 with an intercooled ROUSHcharger system that includes a specially calibrated ECM. The ROUSH treatment nets an additional 115 horsepower over stock bumping the total number of ponies to 415 and torque now stands at 395 ft-lbs. The suspension and brakes have also been upgraded to handle the additional power and ROUSH has modified the exterior with a seven-piece body kit. The racing stripes are one of the car's few options.

Follow the jump for ROUSH's official press release that includes more details on its best attempt at a perfect pony car to date.

[Source: ROUSH]

Continue reading ROUSH unleashes Stage 3 Mustang

ROUSH unleashes Stage 3 Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Apr 2006 07:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HAMANN turns your Porsche 996 into a 997

Erin Mays — Fri, 19 May 0006 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

Got yourself a Porsche Carrera, GT2, GT3, Carrera 4S or Turbo from 1997-2004? Those were the years of the 996, which marked a change from air-cooled to water-cooled. It was also the point at which Porsche essentially canned the round headlights and flared fenders. By all accounts, the 996 was an incredible machine... but what about Porsche tradition? Well, if one can get around the whole air-cooled thing, hot-shoe tuners Hamann have got a package they'd like to show you.

The tuning shop uses original Porsche parts in combination with their own to convert the 996 to a 997, sans the cost of going out and buying a brand new Porsche. On top of the conversion, HAMANN added wing doors, a cool body kit, and performance components to round out the upgrade. The result is a slick looking 997 with 620 bhp and a top speed of 217 mph.

HAMANN turns your Porsche 996 into a 997 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 May 0006 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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