Mercedes-Benz E-Class by Piecha Design

 Styling program for the Coupe and Cabrio marks the tuner’s 30th anniversary.To celebrate 30 years in the business, German tuner Piecha Design has announced a special styling program for the E-Class Coupe and Cabrio.An all-new aerodynamic kit generates more downforce and affords the car more aggressive, muscular styling. An add-on RS spoiler flap reduces lift at the front axle, while a new LED illumination system boasts four LED units on each side. At the rear, a new RS three-piece spoiler and diffuser with long underbody fins have been added.

 A quadro sports exhaust system is also offered with a choice of dual or quad exhaust tips.Featured wheels are 19-inch MP1 Monoblock rims, with DP2 Phantom full drop center alloys coming as an alternative. Ride height can be lowered by 30mm via an upgraded suspension, and 24-40mm hub spacers accentuate the wheel fitment.Piecha Design also offers a Power Convertor CS-RC for non-AMG E-Class models in order to improve throttle response, improve shift times, and reduce acceleration times.

Cabriolet owners can order a more responsive comfort vario roof module, which comes with a one-touch operation and enables users to deploy the roof at speeds of up to 29mph.The upgrade program is available now and can be ordered individually or as a whole package. Pricing details have yet to be released

Gulf McLaren F1 GTR Longtail Racing Coupe Heading to Bonhams Auction

Dressed in legendary livery, the ultra-modern competition coupe is one of the greatest sports cars ever built. 

One of the genuine icons of the modern-era sports car racing is heading to Bonhams Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia auction this August.The ex-GTC Gulf Team Davidoff 1997 McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail' FIA GT Endurance Racing Coupe - to give it its full and proper name - is dressed in Gulf Oil's pale-blue and orange team livery, colors worn by other legendary victors such as the Ford GT40 and Porsche 917K.
Heralded as one of the greatest sports cars ever made, this particular example, chassis '028R,' was the 28th and final McLaren F1 GTR built by the British McLaren Cars factory, and the last of only ten highly developed 'Longtail' cars.These ultra-modern competition coupes represented the pinnacle of McLaren's Le Mans-winning F1 GTR family, identifiable by their stunning Gordon Murray design, unique centerline driving position and sophisticated all-composite structure.The Longtails also featured longer noses and tails to reduce drag and achieve the maximum possible aerodynamic downforce.

In 1997 '028R' raced at the Nurburgring, Spa-Francorchamps, Austria's A1-Ring, Donington Park, Mugello, Sebring and Laguna. The car was driven by Andrew Gilbert-Scott, Geoff Lees, Anders Olofsson and John Neilsen."We are delighted to have been appointed by an international collector to represent this breathtaking piece of competition machinery," says Mark Osborne, Head of Motoring at Bonhams. "Racing legends like the McLaren F1 GTR rarely if ever appear at auction."This is an epic car dressed in a legendary livery, which is why a year ago the same car was being offered for €3m.So when this particular Gulf McLaren F1 GTR Longtail crosses the auction block don't be surprised if bids surpass $4m.The 2012 Bonhams Auction of Exceptional Motorcars will take place Thursday & Friday, August 16 & 17 at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California.

Gulf McLaren F1 GTR Longtail Racing Coupe Heading to Bonhams Auction

Acura Reveals Official Image of NSX Concept Spyder

A supercar built for a superhero.

Yes, we've seen this before. Several months back, some on-set picture from the upcoming film "The Avengers" ended up online.Not only did they show the film's stars, such as Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow, but also what appeared to be a previously unknown Acura spyder concept. Most suspected that concept to be the much-rumored future NSX. Sure enough, we were right.
Acura revealed their NSX coupe concept at the Detroit Auto Show last January, and now they've released this image of the spyder. And to no one's surprise, it's the exact same car we saw in those online photos. Tony Stark has officially traded in his Audi R8 Spyder for the new Acura NSX Spyder concept, confirming what we've known for roughly six months.No word yet on when (or if) we'll be seeing the Spyder concept at an upcoming live show, but we think this is a very strong indicator that Acura will build a production version. In the meantime, we'll be able to be jealous of Tony Stark once again when we see him in "The Avengers", opening next month.

Acura Reveals Official Image of NSX Concept Spyder

One-Of-A-Kind Pininfarina Hyperion Now For Sale in Abu Dhabi

The one-off Pininfarina was originally bought for $6m; who knows how much it will go for in the Middle East. 

Collector and Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe owner Roland Hall commissioned Pininfarina to build the Hyperion back in 2008, instructing them to create a custom-built car that would evoke the appeal of the extravagant cars of the 1930s.In meeting the challenge, Jason Castriota (of former Saab fame) and Pininfarina's Special Projects division came up with this stunning long hood design and constructed an aluminum spaceframe in which they fitted a 6.7-liter V12 engine rated at 453hp and 531lb-ft of torque.

There's no mistaking the Rolls Royce front grille, which has been given a more aerodynamic look as well as recessed Bi xenon headlights and LED technology.The Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe's interior has been left largely untouched, although the rear seats were removed and the driving position pushed back over 15 inches. The rest of the body is made of carbon-fiber save for the solid wood doors.Hall apparently sold the Hyperion, named after one of the Titans of Greek mythology, for around $6 million just a year after buying it.And now it has surfaced at an Abu Dhabi dealership where it is listed for sale at an undisclosed price. It seems that even spectacular one-off creations can become boring for those with too much money then sense.

One-Of-A-Kind Pininfarina Hyperion Now For Sale in Abu Dhabi

Saleen Set to Announce All-New Car

Having won the right to use his name again, Steve Saleen has some big plans for the company he founded almost 30 years ago. 

As we reported last week, after a lengthy court battle, Steve Saleen, founder of Saleen Autosport in 1984 and creator of the Saleen S7 supercar, has legally regained the use of his name on all his products. He now intends to move the company forward with a brand new car and the requisite level of restructuring.Presently, Saleen heads SMS Supercars (Steven Mark Saleen), which has produced around 400 Dodge Challengers and Ford Mustangs with the SMS name, as well as a host of other impressive tuning projects.

Now that he has won back his brand name, he intends to begin production on a Camaro, with all three models to be offered in three trim levels. SMS badging will also be replaced across the board by the Saleen nomenclature.The S5S Raptor concept revealed at the 2008 New York Auto Show is set to get the green light (perhaps with a different name) "That's still a part of our plan. The S5S is still in our planning," Saleen said.As is the release of a brand new vehicle, which Autoweek are reporting will be announced in the next 90 days and that Saleen described will "be somewhat of a different direction."

The S5S Raptor boasted a 5.0-liter supercharged Ford V8 capable of 650hp and 630lb-ft of torque and was allegedly capable of a 0-60mph sprint time of 3.2 seconds and a 200mph top speed. So anything along those lines would be more than welcome.

Saleen Set to Announce All-New Car

[Video] Edo Competition Porsche Carrera GT Roars in Paris

Exotic supercars roaring on the streets of Russia are always a welcome sight.

YouTube user AlexSmolik recently shot a video of a Porsche Carrera GT by Edo Competition cruising around the streets of Paris. The supercar boasts 770hp, up from its stock 612hp and sounds wild.

The Edo Competition Porsche Carrera GT is sporting Russian plates and apparently has been traveling around Europe for some time. Edo's kit, according to the photographer, features some tweaks under the hood and the immediately apparent huge carbon fiber rear wing.Check out the video above to see the Edo Competition Porsche Carrera GT pound the pavement in Paris.

[Video] Edo Competition Porsche Carrera GT Roars in Paris

[Video] The New Porsche Boxster S Roars Runs Like a Million Bucks, Costs $60K

Listen o the roar of the all-new 2013 Porsche Boxster.

Porsche has just released a new promo video for their all-new 2013 Boxster S. The roadster roars, combining power and performance with an extremely modest price tag for a luxury convertible.

The base 2013 Porsche Boxster runs on a 2.7-liter flat-six with 265hp while the Boxster S packs a 3.4-liter flat-six plant rated at 315hp. Both engines can be mated to either a standard six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed PDK. The standard Boxster will hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds while the S will do the job in 4.7 seconds.The 2013 Porsche Boxster prices at $49,500, while the Boxster S starts at $60,900. With prices like those, affording a luxury roadster combined with sports car handling has never been easier. Both trims will be making their North American debut this week at the New York Auto Show.

[Video] The New Porsche Boxster S Roars Runs Like a Million Bucks, Costs $60K

Mansory-Tuned Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster Riding on HRE Wheels

HRE Wheels has released their latest pair of shoes, modeled by a Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster.
HRE Wheels has found the perfect model to show off their latest set of wheels - the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The venerable roadster seen here has been tuned by Mansory and features their 'Soft Kit,' which is fitting since the German tuners are known for their outlandish aftermarket programs and HRE clearly wants the attention drawn to their latest set of wheels.The modular three-piece 794RS rims by HRE are ultra-light thanks to 6061-T6 forged aluminum.
The material is aerospace quality, meaning that you won't see these gray and silver finished wheels very often when you cruise around in your customized SLS AMG Roadster.
Speaking of the SLS AMG Roadster, the outfit from Brand, Germany, has outfitted the Mercedes model with a bodykit made out of carbon fiber. It includes a spoiler lip on the stock front bumper, new hood fitted with gills, aerodynamic side skirts and a rear lip spoiler with optimized diffuser.
Check out the 'Soft Kit' bodywork from Mansory on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster and the 794RS wheels by HRE and let us know what you think about this subtle combination.

Mansory-Tuned Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster Riding on HRE Wheels

Popular Demand May See Lexus Build the LF-LC

The in-demand concept is now being seriously considered as a future production model. 

Upon unveiling the LF-LC Concept at the Detroit Auto Show in January, it was fairly clear Lexus had absolutely no intention of ever building the car. It was simply a design study that was meant to demonstrate what future Lexus models may look like.However, after receiving hugely positive media feedback as well as the people's choice "best in show" award, discussions of 'how we can do it' in production have been had at management level according to Autocar.

In a sign that good things may come, Lexus product planning chief Karl Schlicht has rated the LF-LC's chances of making production as 50/50."A decision has not been taken," he said. "But we're now up to a 50 per cent chance from a zero per cent one. Every top Toyota Motor Company manager is aware of the great reception it has received and now we're talking about how we can do it and fit it into the product plan."Schlicht said that the Calty Design Center in California had a brief to create a 2+2 coupe concept, without thinking that it may one day hit production."The only parameter was size. We wanted the designers to create excitement," he said. "We'd never get it built from a product planning point of view on paper, but people have seen the concept and fallen in love with it. Dealers have gone crazy for it as well."So Lexus finds itself in the position of building a car without having to first establish demand, and if the LF-LC gets approved for production Lexus will have the challenge of delivering a car that offers 'green-but-entertaining' motoring at a price significantly more accessible than that of the LFA supercar.

Popular Demand May See Lexus Build the LF-LC

Fantastic Ferrari 599 GTO by Romeo Ferraris

Romeo Ferraris has just released a two-step tuning program for the Ferrari 599 GTO. 
Milan tuning house Romeo Ferraris has unveiled their two-step tuning program for the Ferrari 599 GTO. The Ferrari F12berlinetta precursor is powered by one of the Italian automaker's famed V12 powerplants and is a model which, of its own accord, is quite stunning.The Ferrari 599 GTO's V12 produces at stock a solid 670hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. The first stage of the Romeo Ferraris aftermarket program consists of the addition of a new sports air filter and exhaust.
These two changes add 15hp and 10 lb-ft of torque. The second stage of the Italian's tuning program focuses on a revamping of the Ferrari's ECU and a high-performance exhaust system. With these changes, the 599 GTO cranks out a serious added 40hp and 35 lb-ft of torque for totals of 710hp and 492 lb-ft of torque.In addition to the added power, Romeo Ferraris has added carbon fiber mirrors, front spoiler and rear diffuser to the Italian supercar.No pricing information or performance specs have been released as of yet for the Romeo Ferraris Ferrari 599 GTO.

Fantastic Ferrari 599 GTO by Romeo Ferraris