Hot Cars

Racing-look GEMBALLA Mirage GT With More Power

Around 1500 of Porsche’s prestige product, the Carrera GT, have been built, all of which have now been sold. Owners worried about the individuality of their vehicle, in spite of its rareness, would be well-advised to make an appointment with GEMBALLA.

Thanks to its expertise, as the only Porsche tuner GEMBALLA has comprehensively modified the high-tech car from Weissach, while at the same time adding an individual touch. In addition, performance addicts can obtain even more of what they want. The spectacular end product answers to the name of GEMBALLA Mirage GT and outshines its production-line counterpart in every respect.

The Carrera GT engine is a dream. A meaty 5.7-litre V10 boasting 612 horsepower. What more could one want? More power of course! GEMBALLA operates on the same principle as racing drivers: “You can never have too much power”. By modifying the engine management electronics, GEMBALLA has been able to squeeze out a further 60 bhp of power and 20 Nm more torque for the V10, slicing off 0.1 seconds off the time it takes to go from 0 to 100 km/h.

The added performance has also been aided by a new, fully stainless steel exhaust system that now resounds through four tail pipes instead of the standard two. GEMBALLA has positioned the two extra tail pipes where the reverse and fog warning lamps used to be. The tuning specialist has relocated the two lamps to beneath the rear diffuser.

Complete racing look

With the GEMBALLA BODY-CONCEPT, the Mirage GT looks like it is planning to enter the Le Mans 24-hour race. The most conspicuous change to the front are the additional air intakes on the new front spoiler. In addition, GEMBALLA embellished the component with a spoiler lip. The bonnet has also been replaced.

In the area between the wheel housing and door GEMBALLA has replaced the standard side panels with its own mudguards, with reshaped openings which blend harmoniously with the original design. Down below, new side skirts lend the vehicle a muscular line. They also come with a cooling vent for the breaks at the rear. One thing is certain! The racing look is enhanced by the new rear skirt, with its aerodynamically optimised mid section for more downforce on the rear axle.

The lion’s share of the extra downforce over the production-line vehicle is due to the mighty GEMBALLA rear wing that adorns the rear of the car. For better slowing, it comes with an brake-flap in the middle - like the kind seen on the Bugatti Veyron - which snaps up when the brakes are applied.

The roof line of the GEMBALLA Mirage GT also starkly differs from the standard Carrera GT. The front section of an airbox has been integrated into the new GEMBALLA hardtop. This ends in an air duct that runs along the back of the tailgate installed by GEMBALLA and supplies the power-enhanced V10-engine with more air to breathe.

With the GEMBALLA body kit, the Mirage GT fits perfectly into the starting line-up of any FIA-GT race. Not least also because of the materials used by GEMBALLA - all parts of the body of the Mirage GT are made of carbon fibre; a material common in the world of racing.

The GEMBALLA Mirage GT also sports a high-tech pair of “shoes”. GEMBALLA fits the three-part rims, with their fully-milled spoke wheel centre front (9.5 x 19˝) and back (12.5 x 20″). Excellent road holding is guaranteed on the front axle by 265-35 R 19 tyres and on the rear axle by 335-30 R 20 tyres.

The motor sports look created on the outside thanks to the carbon components is resumed in the interior. GEMBALLA has restyled the central console, which likewise consists of this high-grade material. This is joined by countless other carbon components, such as, for example, the door cladding.

GEMBALLA has also integrated a multimedia touch-screen information system into the central console. In addition, the passengers’ senses of sight, smell and touch are also spoilt by the finest leather and luxury carpets. The modified steering wheel allows the driver to keep a strong grip on the reins of the GEMBALLA Mirage GT.

The Mirage GT is an impressive example of GEMBALLA’s capability, and represents high-end tuning at its best. The cost of the comprehensive conversion, which can only be carried out by GEMBALLA, starts from EUR 229,800.

GM’s New Electric Concept Car

General Motors announced last week the revival of its electric car. Their new design, the Volt, will mass market the electric car and use little to no gasoline.

The Volt draws its power from a next generation battery, the E-flex system, which is recharged by a small onboard engine. According to GM, when the battery is depleted, a 1L, three-cylinder turbocharged engine spins at a constant speed to create electricity and replenish the battery.

The motor will not provide forward propulsion and is only used to recharge the battery. The car is said to reach 40 miles on one charge and save close to 500 gallons of gasoline a year.

This new development sprouted from the failed EV1 project GM began in 1996 and abandoned in 2003. They were heavily criticized for abandoning the experimental electrical vehicle program, but with the Volt, GM hopes to improve on their previous ideas of the EV1.

Some improvements on the new model include more passenger space, longer battery life, smaller battery size, and higher cruising speeds.

While most ultra-clean and efficient vehicles on the market today use hybrid gasoline-electric powertrains, the Volt will use E85 fuel which is a blend of 85% Ethanol and 15% gasoline.

Since the project is still in the concept stage, a final production version of the car is not projected for another 3 to 5 years.

New Corsa VXR Revealed

The new Corsa has already caused quite a sensation with its bold styling and impressive road manners, but now Vauxhall has pulled the wraps off the ultimate version – the long awaited VXR. The performance flagship of the range is every inch a VXR, designed from the outset to deliver the ultimate in hot-hatch driving excitement and style.

Immediately distinguishable from other models in the new Corsa range, the three-door only VXR comes with several unique VXR styling cues. The mirrors, front foglamp surrounds and centre-exit exhaust tailpipe all have a triangular theme, while the aggressive front and rear bumpers are unique to this model.

Sweeping side skirts and an angular roof spoiler help accentuate the three-door Corsa’s already muscular design, while a mesh front grille, blue-painted brake callipers and optional 18-inch alloys further set off the VXR’s performance appearance.

The interior is dominated by the sculpted, shell-backed Recaro sports seats and the race-car style flat-bottomed steering wheel. Drilled alloy pedals, piano black trim on the facia and unique VXR detailing on the dials and gear lever make sure the Corsa VXR looks as special inside as it does on the outside.

Power comes from a compact 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, developing 192PS and giving Corsa VXR the ability to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 6.8 seconds, on to a top speed of 140mph. Like the Meriva VXR, it comes with an ‘overboost’ facility which can increase the torque output on demand to a maximum of more than 260Nm – useful for safe overtaking.

The power is kept in check with a dynamically-designed chassis including a specially-tuned ESP system, along with uprated brakes and suspension and variably-assisted power steering, which alters the weight and feel of the wheel depending on the way in which the car is driven – a feature unique in this area of the market.

Yet despite its wild performance and impressive technology, Corsa VXR promises to be an affordable car to run, with surprising fuel economy for a 140mph car. On extra-urban routes it returns 44.1mpg according to official figures and the combined fuel economy figure is 35.8mpg.

The Corsa VXR will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and will be available from Vauxhall retailers from mid-March. Prices will be announced nearer to the on-sale date.

Honda Says Fuel-cell Cars Can Be Mass-produced By 2018

Honda Motor Co., Japan’s third biggest vehicle maker, plans to begin leasing a pricy new hydrogen-powered fuel-cell car in Japan and the United States in 2008.

“By evolving a next model based on this, I think the level of technology will become very close to that of mass-produced ordinary vehicles within 10 years or so,” Honda president Takeo Fukui said in an interview with Kyodo News.

“In 2018, I believe the development (of a fuel-cell car) will have been very advanced,” he said. “It will become a real possibility to a large degree.”

The world’s leading carmakers are developing fuel-cell cars which drastically cut emissions. But the high price of such cars, currently estimated at more than 100 million yen (840,000 dollars) each, has been a major barrier to the commercialisation of hydrogen-powered cars.

Fuel cells produce electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, leaving water as the only by-product. Fukui told Kyodo that there will be many customers who want to buy a Honda fuel-cell car if it goes on sale for 10 million yen in the general market.

Honda has already unveiled a so-called FCX concept model, a fully functional futuristic sedan concept car powered by a hydrogen fuel. But before the next-generation car becomes more common, Fukui said there are still some technological challenges the automaker needs to overcome.

He said the challenges include how to reduce the amount of noble metals used for fuel cells, how to improve hydrogen storage and how to make hydrogen at lower costs.

Lexus Launches 2007 With New RX 350 Limited Edition

Lexus ushers in 2007 with a new addition to its RX range, the RX 350 Limited Edition. This special version of Lexus’s luxury SUV benefits from a higher specification at a price that represents exceptional customer value.

The Limited Edition is positioned in the RX range between the entry-level RX 350 and the RX 350 SE, offering a generous number of extra equipment features. These have a combined value of more than £3,500, but the Limited Edition has an on-the-road price only £2,500 more than the RX 350.

Special features of the Limited Edition include perforated leather upholstery, heated front seats that are eight-way electrically adjustable, a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat, 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and metallic paint.

These items are in addition to a standard specification that includes cruise control, eight-speaker sound system with in-dash six-CD autochanger, five-speed automatic transmission, leather trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, High Intensity Discharge headlights, rear dark-tinted privacy glass, climate control air conditioning, speed-sensitive power steering and a suite of nine cabin airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag.

The Limited Edition is also available with the option of the Lexus Multimedia system, which comprises DVD satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance; voice controls for audio, communications, ventilation and navigation functions; Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free mobile phone use; a Park Assist Monitor; 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system with six-disc DVD autochanger and MP3/WMA compatibility; and an Electro Multi-Vision screen with touch-screen controls. This option package is not available on the entry-level RX 350 model.

Lexus’s bespoke in-car entertainment package is also available as an option, comprising a DVD player with twin monitors mounted neatly in the back of the front seat head restraints. Rear seat passengers can enjoy movies on the move, CDs, music from MP3 files, or, with the benefit of additional connectors (not supplied by Lexus), computer games. Infra red headsets are provided which allow passengers in the front to continue listening to the vehicle’s audio system undisturbed.

The RX 350 Limited Edition is available in Platinum Ice, Aleutian Grey and Brechin Slate metallic paint finishes with a choice of Oakham Ivory or Pembroke Black leather interiors. Power is from Lexus’s 272bhp (276 DIN hp) 3.5-litre V6 Dual VVT-i petrol engine, which gives nought to 62mph acceleration in 7.8 seconds and 25.2mpg combined cycle fuel consumption.

New Mini With The Individual HAMANN Touch

The original Mini was known among other things for its go-kart-like handling. BMW has managed to transport precisely that into the new age, with the new edition of 2001. And the recently launched 2006 generation once again sparkles with the typical Mini characteristics. And HAMANN has of course once again taken on the current model. The Brit from Bavaria not only looks different after its visit to the health farm in Laupheim. The HAMANN Mini also sounds better, and drives with even more agility.

One thing is clear: you will attract attention with the Mini, even in standard trim. The exterior of the Mini could however convey a little more sportiness. HAMANN can help out in this respect, clothing the little runabout in some sporty gear. The HAMANN aerodynamics kit includes a front spoiler to reduce lift, a pair of side sills with integrated, brushed aluminum doorsills, and a two-piece rear diffuser.

Visually equipped in this way, it would not look out of place among the starters in the Mini Cup. The Mini draws even more attention as a result of the HAMANN flag-design decoration. This decoration is available in silver, anthracite or white. You can even apply it yourself, and it is available for the sides, the hood and the roof. Customers can order the components together (at a discount) or individually.

17″ and 18″ wheels

HAMANN offers three attractive wheel designs for the Mini. The HM4 is a 17″ model, which is a handsome one-piece alloy wheel with five spokes, finished in silver, and has the look of a multi-piece wheel. The PG4 design not only looks like it; it actually is a multi-piece wheel. The 18″ five-spoke wheel sports a polished lip. Once again a one-piece wheel, but nevertheless boasting an elegant multi-spoke design, we have the ANNIVERSARY I.

With its silver finish and its high-gloss polished INOX stainless steel lip on the outer rim flange, the ANNIVERSARY I is available in 18” form, combining great looks with a practical solution as the stainless steel lip is exchangeable and can easily be replaced in the event of damage.

Improving the sound of their car is one of the most important tuning measures for many drivers. So for sound fetishists HAMANN is offering an impressive twin-pipe sports rear silencer, with two round stainless steel tailpipes (each 90 mm in diameter). A sportier air intake sound is created by the HAMANN sports air filter, which is available for both the Cooper and Cooper S versions of the Mini.

Even though the Mini already has very good handling, HAMANN saw a need for action in this area too. HAMANN height-adjustable coilover suspension promises even greater agility. It comprises four sports shock absorbers and four springs. The suspension can be lowered by up to 50 mm at the front, and by up to 30 mm at the rear. Thanks to its lower center of gravity, the Mini can be pushed through the corners even more like a go-kart than ever.

Comprehensive interior refinement

Friends of individual looks have virtually free rein in the interior of the Mini. HAMANN doorsills made of brushed aluminum invite you to step inside this small car. The HAMANN Sports gear knob and the hand brake lever are also made of aluminum. Exclusive, black HAMANN foot-mats make the Mini even cozier, in addition to which HAMANN offers two interior sets made of exposed carbon fiber.

Set 1 is made up of cockpit panels, cladding for two outer ventilation ducts – one on the left and one on the right, the steering column, the airbag and the centrally located instruments, as well as a cover panel for the tachometer and the passenger airbag. Set two includes the handbrake lever, the decorative ring for the drinks holder, the surrounds for the gearshift gate, door handles and frames, the speaker rings, door trim panels (4 items) plus B-pillar cladding.

HAMANN will of course also modify any Mini according to the individual wishes of the customer. For example, elaborate leather upholstery and trim are available in various colors, or such items as multimedia conversions.