Roush Stage 3 Mustang

Roush Performance of Livonia, Michigan, has launched a Stage 3 upgrade for the Ford Mustang.



Central to the conversion is an R2300 ROUSHcharger supercharger plus intercooler, which lifts power from 412 bhp (307 kW / 417 PS) to 540 bhp (402 kW / 547 PS). Torque from the 5.0 litre V8 engine is similarly increased, rising from 528 Nm (390 lb/ft) to an impressive 630 Nm (465 lb/ft).



Roush doesn’t offer a choice of transmission, though. Drive to the rear wheels is via a six-speed manual gearbox, and there’s no automatic option.

Costing $16,800 in the US, the Stage 3 package includes a Roush suspension system. This replaces the springs, anti-roll bars, rear dampers and front struts, while adding jounce bumpers and an anti-wheel hop kit for better traction. Additionally, 18” Roush chrome wheels with Cooper tyres are fitted, and the original exhaust is ditched in favour of a square-tip performance item.



The Mustang’s appearance is beefed up by a new front valance, chin splitter, boot spoiler and side skirts. Buyers get to select from eight paint colours, six stripe colours and six stripe accent colours. That’s a total of 288 different combinations so, provided a bit of imagination has been used when specifying the car, the chances of coming across an identical one should be extremely slim.



For those wanting to tweak their Mustang further, the Roush options list is the place to look. It includes louvered panels for the rear side windows, leather upholstery, 20” wheels, competition suspension and three different brake upgrades.



Available from dealers at the end of this month, the 2012 Roush Stage 3 conversion comes with a three-year / 36,000 mile warranty.

Moparized Jeep Wranglers

Daftest model name of the year (so far) must be the Jeep Wrangler ‘Pork Chop’. Built in collaboration with Mopar, it’s a customised special that’ll first appear at the upcoming Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.

Six such models are set to be unveiled, although for now only two have been revealed - the other being the much more sensibly titled ‘Renegade’.

Can’t wait to see what other weird monikers Jeep comes up with for the remaining four…



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Honda CR-Z Mugen

Mugen Euro is working on a tuned version of the Honda CR-Z hybrid. Both the 1.5 litre petrol engine and the Integrated Motor Assist system will be fettled to produce more power and torque, and there’s also speculation that fuel economy and CO2 emissions could be improved, too.



So it looks like a win-win situation. Except - for the time being at least - the CR-Z Mugen is only being built as a one-off prototype, set to make its debut at July’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

As well as modifications to the powertrain, chassis improvements will comprise uprated suspension and brakes. To help save weight a carbon fibre bonnet and bespoke alloy wheels are going to be fitted, while replacement bumpers and a spoiler should help the aerodynamics.



Although it’s not scheduled for series production, arguably the enhancements hinted at by the CR-Z Mugen are needed to make the regular CR-Z a more convincing all-round package.



The standard car’s 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 9.9 seconds, top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h), combined cycle fuel consumption of 56.5 mpg (5.0 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 117 g/km are respectable enough.



However, they’re not outstanding either, especially considering that a conventional non-hybrid such as the BMW 118d Coupé is quicker (0-62 mph in 9.0 seconds, top speed of 130 mph / 209 km/h), uses less fuel (62.8 mpg / 4.5 l/100km) and pumps out virtually the same level of carbon dioxide (118 g/km).



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Mansory Siracusa

Most attempts to modify a supercar are going to be controversial, as are the efforts of German tuner Mansory. Combine the two then, and it’s very likely that the outcome is going to divide opinion.



For the Siracusa - based on the Ferrari 458 Italia - Mansory has adopted its usual procedure: replace as much bodywork as possible with carbon fibre, fiddle with the aerodynamics, boost power, re-trim the interior and then apply a ‘unique’ colour scheme.

Some visual elements don’t work particularly well, for example the revised headlights and the various carbon fibre addenda stuck onto the side skirts and front apron. But the claimed results are more down-force, better cooling and a car that’s 70 kg (154 lbs) lighter.



Combined with a modest 2% increase in power to 581 bhp (434 kW / 590 PS) - thanks to a tweaked engine management system, replacement air filter and a sports exhaust - the Siracusa will accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).



Impressive performance, although it should be remembered that the standard 458 Italia does the same sprint in 3.4 seconds and maxes out at 202 mph (325 km/h). So it begs the question: what’s the point for such insignificant gains?



Of course, it might be that the Mansory has a notably improved mid-range, while the lowered suspension and more effective spoilers unite to considerably enhance handling. The only way to tell would be to pitch the Siracusa against a stock 458 Italia on a track.



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Mansory Cormeum

German tuner Mansory has comprehensively reworked the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The result is the Cormeum, named after an opera aria.

Changes to the bodywork go well beyond just sticking a body kit on. The front end, which has been totally redesigned to reduce lift, now sports aggressive air intakes and new headlights. Lighter roof and door panels are fitted, while replacement wings widen the car by 66 mm at the front and 84 mm at the rear. Around the back, a race-spec diffuser is there purely for more down force, as is the boot lid spoiler.



Combined with the forged alloy wheels - 20” diameter at the front and 21” for the rears - the alterations knock 90 kg off the weight of the donor SLS AMG.



To go with the reduced bulk is more power. The V8 engine in the Cormeum boasts 650 bhp (485 kW / 660 PS), compared to the standard car’s 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS). However, if that’s still not enough, Mansory is saying that outputs of up to 790 bhp (588 kW / 800 PS) are in development.



Any carbon fibre enthusiasts thinking of buying a Mansory Cormeum had better be quick, as production will be limited to just fifteen examples.



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Novitec Rosso 599 GTO

Arguably, the last thing that the Ferrari 599 GTO needs is more power.



That hasn’t stopped tuner Novitec Rosso though, which has lifted the GTO’s outputs from 660 bhp (493 kW / 670 PS) and 620 Nm (457 lb/ft) of torque to 875 bhp (653 kW / 888 PS) and 862 Nm (635 lb/ft).

Those are enormous increases, achieved by reworking the twin superchargers, fitting high-flow air filters and fuel injectors, replacing the exhaust system and fiddling with the engine’s ECU.



The end result is, well, rather underwhelming. Whereas the standard GTO will accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.35 seconds and to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.8 seconds, the Novitec version does each sprint in 3.2 and 9.1 seconds respectively. Improvements that hardly embarrass the stock car, then.



Top speed also gets a similarly slight increase, rising from ‘over’ 208 mph (335 km/h) to ‘more than’ 211 mph (340 km/h).

Completing the conversion are lower sports springs, a front axle lift function to help negotiate speed humps, lightweight five-spoke alloys and wider Pirelli PZero tyres.



Perhaps the nicest thing about the Novitec Rosso 599 GTO is the colour scheme. Inspired by the Écurie Nationale Belge 250 GTO that won the 1964 Tour de France in the hands of Lucien Bianchi and Georges Berger, it features silver paintwork with a distinctive Belgian racing yellow stripe across the bonnet.

Brabus S 350 BlueTEC

German tuner Brabus has released its Eco PowerXtra DS6 Performance Kit for the Mercedes-Benz S 350 BlueTEC.



Basically an auxiliary control unit that plugs into the engine’s ECU, the DS6’s forte is that after installation the car remains Euro 6 compliant.

Euro 6 is the tougher standard covering carbon monoxide, particulates, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide emissions which comes into force in September 2014. However, it doesn’t encompass CO2, and Brabus isn’t saying whether levels of that particular pollutant are affected or not.



Keeping things clean is not all it does, though. Output from the 2,987 cc turbo-diesel V6 is lifted by over 20% to 308 bhp (230 kW / 313 PS), which just eclipses what a standard petrol-powered S 350 BlueEFFICIENCY can muster. Torque is increased too, rising from 620 Nm (457 lb/ft) to 690 Nm (509 lb/ft).



Cleverly, Brabus has configured the DS6 Performance Kit to work with the different modes of the S-Class’s seven-speed automatic gearbox. In ‘Eco’ only the extra torque is applied, but switch into ‘Manual’ or ‘Sport’ and the additional horsepower is also unleashed.



With full power, the S 350 BlueTEC’s 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time is cut from 7.1 to 6.5 seconds, although top speed remains limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). What’s more, it’s claimed that fuel consumption might actually reduce compared to the stock car. But that will depend on driving style, and presumably sticking firmly to ‘Eco’ mode.



The Brabus Eco PowerXtra D6S Performance Kit is backed by a warranty that lasts three years, up to a maximum of 62,000 miles or 100,000 kilometres. It’s also available for the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and all E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY models.

831 PS Audi RS6 Avant

As standard, the now discontinued Audi RS6 Avant came with a BMW M5-beating 571 bhp (426 kW / 579 PS) from its 5.0 litre twin-turbo V10 engine.

But now a couple of UK tuners have gotten together to raise that to a massive 819 bhp (611 kW / 831 PS), also increasing torque by over 50% to 977 Nm (720 lb/ft) in the process.



Dorset-based Turbo Dynamics is responsible for fettling the turbochargers, while MRC Tuning of Banbury adds a Stage 3 remap for the ECU, a new fuelling kit, 3” down pipes and revised air intakes.

The result is a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of just 3.6 seconds, plus an electronically limited top speed of 217.5 mph (350 km/h).



For anyone tempted to get hold of a used RS6 to convert, there are currently over twenty examples listed on Auto Trader. Prices start at just under £47,000.

330 bhp Golf R by APS

UK tuner APS has announced a series of upgrade packages for the all-wheel drive, 266 bhp (199 kW / 270 PS) Volkswagen Golf R.



Stage One is a fairly simple conversion, as the only modification is an ECU remap. Nevertheless, maximum power is raised to 308 bhp (229 kW / 312 PS), which is a useful increase (although no performance figures have been released). It’s not bad value either, costing £445 including VAT and fitting in APS’s Brackley workshop.

Stage Two adds a Milltek large bore turbo down pipe, high flow sports catalyst and a choice of two Milltek stainless steel sports exhausts. Both exhaust systems feature a switchable electronic valve, 2.75” bore tubing and dual 100 mm ceramic black tailpipes. The difference is that one comes with a resonated cat-back exhaust which is more refined and has EC type approval, while the other is non-resonated and therefore undoubtedly very noisy.



Depending on the exhaust, power is lifted to around 320 - 330 bhp (238 - 246 kW / 324 - 334 PS), but unfortunately APS hasn’t indicated how this affects acceleration, economy or emissions. The Stage Two upgrade is priced at £1,999, which again includes VAT and fitting.



For those who think that 330 bhp just isn’t enough, APS is currently developing a Stage Three package for the Golf R. Thanks to a revised turbo, this promises to deliver 350 bhp (260 kW / 354 PS).



Given the fairly high power increases, improving the chassis components might also be a good idea. APS can oblige here, too, and its range includes 18” or 19” Sportec Mono 10 alloy wheels with Toyo tyres, uprated suspension bushes, sports lowering springs, KW adjustable coil over suspension, Brembo GT brakes and a three-way adjustable Haldex Gen4 all-wheel drive controller.

A.R.T. G streetline Sterling

Tasteless, nasty, tacky: all words that could be used to describe the horror that is the A.R.T. G streetline Sterling.

The vehicle that this conversion is based on, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen (or G-Class, as it’s now known) was never going to win any beauty contests, but at least its utilitarian looks have a certain rugged elegance. And in standard form it can boast excellent off-road ability, something that is largely lost when you fit 22” alloy wheels, low-profile road tyres and a daft body kit.



A.R.T. has used the G 400 CDI as a starting point for the Sterling, which is odd because that particular model seems to have disappeared from the Mercedes-Benz price list, replaced in most markets by the G 350 BlueTEC.



Anyway, power output of the G 400’s V8 diesel has been lifted from 246 bhp (184 kW / 250 PS) to 288 bhp (214 kW / 292 PS). That increase is thanks to a reprogrammed engine ECU and the fitment of a comedy exhaust system which features six (yes, six) side-exiting stainless steel tail pipes. Very Max Power.

The interior doesn’t escape unscathed, either. Just about every surface is covered in either green or grey nappa leather or carbon fibre trim, all of which is supposed to ‘bewitch the senses’. An altered rear seat arrangement means the Sterling is strictly a four-seater, but at least those sitting in the back get their own DVD player and a centre console that holds a couple of glasses. No fridge to chill the drinks, though.

Novitec tunes Abarth 500

Abarth already offers a hotter version of its 500 via the Esseesse kit, which raises output from 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) to 157 bhp (117 kW / 160 PS).



However, German tuner Novitec clearly thought that that increase was unexceptional, because its recently announced programme for the Abarth 500 promises a lot more.

Novitec has a number of kits available, each giving varying power upgrades. Top of the range, though, is the €3,016 (around £2,565) NT4-Corse conversion which squeezes 212 bhp (156 kW / 212 PS) from the 500’s 1.4 litre engine. Torque gets a similar boost, too, going up from 206 Nm to 325 Nm.



Such significant improvements are thanks to a special turbocharger, Corse exhaust system, optimised air-cleaner box, sport air filter cartridge, special fuel pressure control, larger injection nozzles and a PowerJet 2 auxiliary control unit for the engine’s electronic brain.



As a result, the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of the standard Abarth 500 is slashed from 7.9 to 6.8 seconds. On that measure at least, the Novitec Abarth 500 is slightly quicker than either a Mini Cooper S, Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 or even Abarth’s own limited edition 695 Tributo Ferrari. They do the same sprint in 7.0, 6.9 and 7.0 seconds respectively.



All three of those competitors can still boast marginally higher top speeds than the Novitec car, though. That’s despite the NT4-Corse kit allowing the Abarth 500 to hit 138 mph (223 km/h), up from the 127 mph (205 km/h) of the stock version.



To go with the engine modifications, Novitec is also offering uprated suspension. Customers can go for replacement sports springs, which lower the ride height by 35 mm, or alternatively they can choose a full sports suspension package which includes stiffer dampers and is height adjustable.



Complementing the chassis tweaks are a range of 17” and 18” alloy wheels, although oddly the programme doesn’t include any improvements for the brakes, which is perhaps an omission.



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BBR gives MX-5 235 bhp

The Mazda MX-5 is a great little sports car, but the most powerful version currently available features a 2.0 litre engine with a fairly modest 158 bhp (118 kW / 160 PS).



For those who think that that’s not enough, tuner BBR has got together with Cosworth Engineering to provide a fix.

Their solution is to attach a fourth generation Eaton MP62 supercharger, which lifts power by almost 50% to 235 bhp (175 kW / 238 PS), while torque rises from 188 Nm (138 lb/ft) to 257 Nm (190 lb/ft). That puts the BBR-Cosworth MX-5 right on a par with competitors such as the £33,870 Mercedes-Benz SLK 300.



However, the conversion consists of more than just the supercharger. To help the engine breathe better, a Cosworth inlet manifold housing is fitted, together with high-flow calibrated injectors, air box and air filter.

Managing everything is a BBR Auxiliary Interceptor 2010 engine control unit, which has 3-D mapping and a MAP sensor. An air to water intercooler is also included in the package, and competition-grade hoses and fixings are used throughout.



The finishing touches are the BBR-Cosworth identification badges, which are the only external clue to the under-bonnet transformation.



The BBR-Cosworth Mazda MX-5 supercharger upgrade is priced at £4,995.00, including installation by BBR. Kits will also be made available for DIY fitting.

Brabus Widestar SLS AMG

It was probably inevitable that the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG would be a prime candidate for aftermarket modifications.



The latest tuner to announce its programme for the gull-wing supercar is Brabus, which has unveiled the Widestar SLS at the Essen Motor Show.

Alterations to the bodywork include spoilers front and rear, a rear diffuser and re-sculptured rocker panels. However, the biggest changes are the wider rear wings and redesigned rear fascia. These allow the fitment of lightweight Brabus Monoblock F Platinum Edition forged alloy wheels. Sized at 9.5Jx20 for the front and 11Jx21 at the rear, these are larger than the standard items, yet they weigh up to 12% less.

Together with reworked rear axle components, the new wheels widen the rear track by 20 mm. Ride height meanwhile can be reduced by up to 30 mm, thanks to adjustable Bilstein suspension.



The Widestar’s chassis also features a Ride Control function that lets the driver alter damping characteristics to give either a sportier or more comfortable ride. Stiffer anti-roll bars can optionally be specified to sharpen up the handling even further.

Although the engine is left alone, the usual SLS exhaust is ditched in favour of a bespoke titanium item. Weighing 40% less than stock, it also adds 9 bhp (7 kW / 10 PS) to the 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS) that the 6.3 litre V8 produces in standard tune.



The system’s party trick is its sound management, which the driver controls via a pneumatic flap. This alters the exhaust note, and it even includes a ‘coming home’ setting which is quieter than the production version. That should keep the neighbours happy.



The Widestar conversion is finished off by the interior, which Brabus will customise according to the owner’s wishes.



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G-Power X5 M Typhoon

For anyone who thinks that the standard BMW X5 M looks too subtle, or with ‘just’ 547 bhp (408 kW / 555 PS) could do with a bit more grunt, German tuner G-Power has the answer.



First off, it introduced the ‘small’ Typhoon body kit at the end of last year which, with various engine modifications, lifted power to 591 bhp (441 kW / 600 PS).



Now G-Power has launched the ‘big’ Typhoon kit. The valences, side skirts (with their rather naff built-in LEDs) and bulging wheel arches might not be to everyone’s taste, but they’re not just there for show. The larger intakes and bonnet vents allow for optimised air flow and, therefore, better cooling characteristics.

Together with a remapped ECU, tweaked turbo installation and replacement exhaust system, the result is 715 bhp (533 kW / 725 PS) and 890 Nm of torque. That means the 4.4 litre bi-turbo V8 can accelerate the X5 M Typhoon from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds, 0.5 seconds quicker than standard. Getting rid of the electronic speed limiter lets it run on to a top speed of ‘over 300 km/h’ (186 mph).



Another benefit of those arches, which increase the car’s width by seven centimetres, is that very large wheels can be stuffed under them. G-Power has specially developed its own 23” Silverstone RS forged alloys, which come shod with Michelin 315/25 ZR 23 tyres. Other chassis alterations include sports suspension and a 30 mm lower ride height.



The modifications don’t come cheap, though. On top of the £78,860 needed to buy an X5 M in the UK, buyers will need to find:

• €18,000.00 (around £15,020) for the 715 bhp power upgrade, which includes the exhaust system


• €12,185.00 (£10,170) for the Typhoon body kit, although fitting is extra


• €8,865.55 (£7,400) for the Silverstone RS wheels and Michelin tyres

That’s a total bill of €39,050, or about £32,590. Gangsters, pimps and drug dealers should form an orderly queue…