Autoblog

Wiesmann teases Geneva-bound GT MF4-CS

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Specialty, MISC, Racing

German sportscar maker Wiesmann has announced it's bringing the GT MF4-CS to say "Tag" to the world at the Geneva Motor Show. The last two characters in that letterlicious name stand for "Club Sport," making this the stripped-down track-day version of the Wiesmann GT MF4-S - that being the Sport version of the plain-old GT MF4.

Now that we're clear on that, let's also be clear that we know nothing more about it. Its base vehicle, the 3,014-pound GT MF4-S, uses a V8 with 420 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and takes 4.4 seconds to get to 62 miles per hour from a standstill. It offers the choice of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and it has a locking rear diff.

The Club Sport treatment should make things go faster in more ways than one, since Wiesmann says there will only be 25 made. We'll be on the floor in Geneva to take a look at one of them, there's a three-sentence press release below to entertain you in the meantime.

Continue reading Wiesmann teases Geneva-bound GT MF4-CS

Wiesmann teases Geneva-bound GT MF4-CS originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NISMO releases Club Sport package for R35 GT-R

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Japan, Supercars, Nissan

Click either image for a high-res gallery.

NISMO has finally released all the details on its line of upgrades for the R35 Nissan GT-R, and per usual, there's good news and bad news.

On the positive side, the parts are the typical blend of OEM quality and fitment, with a focus on tighter handling and weight reduction. The Club Sport tuning package includes the Chassis pack made up of race-tuned Bilstein Damptronic adjustable dampers sheathed in 18.5kg/mm (front) and 9.6 kg/mm (rear) springs. The combination of rock-hard coils and adjustable damping at both low and high speeds should make the GT-R stickier in the corners and more stable while bombing through a fast sweeper. Rounding out the handling package is a set of Rays forged aluminum wheels, sized 20x9.5-inches in front (+45mm offset) and 20x10.5-inches (+25mm offset) in the rear, and wrapped in Bridgestone RE070R run-flats, sized 225/40 and 285/35, front and rear. These are rumored to be the same rollers we'll see on the Spec-V when it's unveiled in Paris this October.

The rest of the parts focus on weight reduction, beginning with a lightweight axle-back exhaust that drops 11 pounds from the GT-R's curb weight, along with a carbon fiber undertray that reduces air turbulence and parasitic drag. Upgraded carbon-fiber backed and leather-trimmed seats are also part of the package, which retains the side airbags but nixes the electronic controls, reducing weight by another 13 pounds total. Naturally, some NISMO badging rounds out the upgrades.

Now here's the bad news: the parts are only available in Japan as a package, can only be installed by 12 NISMO-authorized shops and come in at a whopping ¥5,460,000 (over $50,000). However, some U.S. importers have already worked out a distribution deal with NISMO, but for those of us in the States, we don't get the added benefit of the three-year/60,000 km warranty.

Gallery: NISMO R35 GT-R Club Sport

[Source: NISMO via JPCNews]

NISMO releases Club Sport package for R35 GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter the Rumormill: Porsche Cayman Club Sport spied?

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche

The introduction of the Porsche Cayman S was met with equal parts reverence and revilement, with many criticizing Porsche's midship masterpiece as being underpowered despite a chassis that was begging for more oomph. While tuners have been swapping larger engines from the top-of-the-line 911 into the Cayman, its doubtful that Porsche's pencil pushers would risk cannibalizing sales of its 40-year old flagship. However, the idea of making an RS-version of the Cayman may be on the horizon, as this newest spy shot reveals.

The next generation Cayman - likely to be unveiled in Geneva - will feature a few minor changes keeping with Porsche's long-held tradition of slowly evolving the breed. But a lightweight, track-friendly edition might also be available in the near future. The shot above shows a new Cayman (note the drawn down headlamps) undergoing testing, with a roll cage mounted aft of the two front seats. Could it be a Club Sport version? Hopefully we'll find out in a few months.

[Source: autoblog.it]

Enter the Rumormill: Porsche Cayman Club Sport spied? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA: Pontiac Solstice Club Sport Z0K

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 14:55:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Performance, Porsche

We really liked this one. Fun little track version of Pontiac's most flingable car. Orange must be this year's black, as it seemed to be everywhere this year. Perhaps the Halloween theme got to the designers' heads. This particular example was a little less vibrant than some, but orange none-the-less, reminding us of traffic cones. Maybe like the ones you'd see out in a parking lot to help mark the track during a SOLO II event. Which is appropriate here.

Celebrating the Solstice's first-ever Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Showroom Stock B National Championship, Pontiac presented this fully race-prepared Solstice Club Sport. Kind of a template for how weekend warriors can set up their own Solstices for SCCA racing. As all SCCA Club Racing Solstices do, this one comes with the Z0K Club Sport regular production order option, which includes a five-speed manual, ABS, a limited-slip differential and the stiffened FE3 suspension.

The engine, unfortunately is the stock N/A 177-hp, 2.4-liter Ecotec, but this is SEMA so the show version also features some of the necessary safety equipment required by the SCCA (rollcage, Hoosier 245/35R18 racing tires, Stainless Steel Brakes Corp. racing brakes, Sparco six-point safety harness and fire suppression system) and what really made this Solstice shine, a bitchin' removable carbon fiber hardtop. More pics after the jump.

Continue reading SEMA: Pontiac Solstice Club Sport Z0K

SEMA: Pontiac Solstice Club Sport Z0K originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Nov 2006 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Solstice a formidable opponent at SCCA

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Pontiac

Pontiac's newest offering to the convertible market has been gaining more traction (pun intended) in the world of motor sport. Nowhere is that pervasiveness being felt more than in the Showroom Stock B (SSB) class of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Before 2006, the top slots were dominated by the likes of Mazda and Toyota, with the Miata (MX-5) being one of the most popular choices for weekend racers. That paradigm has begun to shift and in turn, the number of Solsti competing in the SSB Class has quadrupled, from one to four, within the last few months.

At the head of this onslaught is Andrew Aquilante, an 18-year old rookie who claimed his first victory at Lime Rock on July 30th and then proceeded to sweep the Northeast Division championship this past weekend at the Pocono International Raceway. Aquilante's Solstice is running the factory installed Z0K Club Sport package that includes upgraded brakes, an LSD and the FE3 suspension kit.

Although not up to Spec Miata numbers yet, it seems the Solstice is proving to be a serious contender for the disposable income of many aspiring racers.

Full press release after the jump.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Solstice a formidable opponent at SCCA

Solstice a formidable opponent at SCCA originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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