One-off Model: BMW Hartge Z3 Coupé 5.0 liter V8 engine

Craving that naturally aspirated sound? Dying to hear that roar noise from a BMW engine? Well, the video below will give you both. An one-off BMW Z4 Hartge Z3 Coupe makes its way on the interwebs and a Youtube video takes us closer to the car.

The only one every built Z3 Hartge comes equipped with a 5.0 liter V8 naturally aspirated engine and has a maximum output of 420 hp and a peak torque of 530 Nm. The car reaches a top speed of more than 300 km/h and gets to 200 km/h in just 13 seconds. The engine is matted to a 6-speed gearbox.

The engine is the same one used in the BMW E39 M5. The car started its life as a Z3 M Coupé in September 1998. This one time project was meant for automotive shows, but eventually it was put on license plates. And after it had driven around in Germany for a while, it was bought by someone from Holland.

Salon de Détroit 2011 - BMW Série 1 Cabriolet

Pour le salon de Détroit Du 10 au 23 Janvier 2011, BMW retouche ses Série 1 Coupé et Cabriolet. Mais il faudra être un passionné de la marque pour voir ces petites modifications. En 2011, les BMW Série 1 Coupé et Série 1 Cabriolet présenteront un nouveau look. Les modifications touchent le nouveau bouclier avant avec une grande entrée d'air centrale et deux prises d'air latérales.

Ces deux dernières sont dotées de rideaux d'air (Air Curtains) chargés d'améliorer l'écoulement de l'air au niveau des passages de roue. On note également les nouveaux phares et les feux arrière retouchés.

Les feux avant gagner une bande de LED lorsque l'éclairage est au xénon (option). Les feux arrière sont dotés de deux bandeaux lumineux pour rendre la voiture plus sexy.

Enfin, nouveau de l’habitacle, BMW annonce quelques retouches, sans donner plus d’indications.

Pour les motorisations pour l’instant c’est pareil mais il se dit que le 3,0 litres bi-turbo de la 135i pourrait devenir un simple turbo tout en gardant la même puissance de 306 cv.

Pour le salon de Détroit Du 10 au 23 Janvier 2011, BMW retouche ses Série 1 Coupé et Cabriolet. Mais il faudra être un passionné de la marque pour voir ces petites modifications. En 2011, les BMW Série 1 Coupé et Série 1 Cabriolet présenteront un nouveau look. Les modifications touchent le nouveau bouclier avant avec une grande entrée d'air centrale et deux prises d'air latérales.

Ces deux dernières sont dotées de rideaux d'air (Air Curtains) chargés d'améliorer l'écoulement de l'air au niveau des passages de roue. On note également les nouveaux phares et les feux arrière retouchés.

Les feux avant gagner une bande de LED lorsque l'éclairage est au xénon (option). Les feux arrière sont dotés de deux bandeaux lumineux pour rendre la voiture plus sexy.

Enfin, nouveau de l’habitacle, BMW annonce quelques retouches, sans donner plus d’indications.

Pour les motorisations pour l’instant c’est pareil mais il se dit que le 3,0 litres bi-turbo de la 135i pourrait devenir un simple turbo tout en gardant la même puissance de 306 cv.

Abt Sportsline AS6 Avant Cars Prices reviews and images

Abt Sportsline AS6 Avant Cars Prices reviews and images The car is a 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet 1.8 T with a five speed manual. Engine: Inline-4 Driven wheels: FWD Power: 163 hp @ 5700 rpm Torque: 225 Nm @ 1950 rpm Empty weight: 1540 kg 0-80 km/h: 6,2 s 0-100 km/h: 9,2 s 0-120 km/h: 12,5 s 0-140 km/h: 16,9 s 0-160 km/h: 23,4 s Vmax: 225 km/h Video Rating: 5 / 5 NZ money is much less then american. So in US money that’s only like $35,4.

ABT Audi AS3 Sportback Wallpapers Cars Prices reviews and images

ABT Audi AS3 Sportback Wallpapers Cars Prices reviews and images According to Audi, the new A4 Avant is far more than just a nice station wagon. Though by saying this, the car manufacturer from Ingolstadt for sure did not mean Abt Sportsline’s version, the new Abt AS4 Avant confirms this statement to 100 per cent all the same. But as a matter of fact there is a lot more to the model from Kempten than it just being a nice representative of its class. It is an elegant and sporty station wagon which...

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series Rendered

It's only a matter of time before Mercedes-Benz unleashes an AMG version of its new C-Class Coupe to rival BMW's two-door M3, but Carscoop reader Luis Silva from Portugal decided to craft a quick chop of the C63 AMG Coupe for our viewing pleasure.
The actual C63 AMG Coupe could be revealed as early as this year's edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Given that the two-door model is based on the current C-Class series, it's almost certain that the two-door variant will keep the 2012 C63 AMG Sedan's 6.2-liter V8, which produces 457HP and 600Nm / 442 lb-ft of torque in standard trim and 487HP with the optional AMG Performance package.

Geneva Preshow: Ford Reveals B-MAX Small MPV Study Based on the Fiesta

Scheduled to make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show this week is Ford's brand-new B-MAX concept that previews the firm's upcoming small MPV, designed to replace the current European Fusion and rival the Opel Meriva. Based on the Fiesta platform, the almost production-ready minivan has some striking features, the most obvious being the new door concept. It has no B-pillar and the twin doors have a conventional opening system in the front and a sliding system in the back.
By eliminating the traditional B-pillar, Ford promises best-in-class access to the cabin without compromising safety. With both front and rear doors open, the aperture measures 1.5 metres, around twice the width offered by competitors, according to Ford.
“With its unique door format and dynamic design, the B-MAX sends a strong message that customers looking for a compact, stylish and versatile vehicle will soon have an exciting new choice,” said Stephen Odell, CEO of Ford Europe. Another highlight is the lack of door handles, with the opening system being remote-controlled.

Geneva Preshow: New Koenigsegg Agera R gets 1,115 HP and...a Roof Box

Koenigsegg, the Swedish maker of exotic sports cars will bring its newest creation, the Agera R hypercar, along with the final production version of the Agera to this week's Geneva Salon. Building on the design of the 15-year-old CC, the Agera looks unmistakably "Koenigsegg".
The paint scheme of the car that will be displayed in Geneva is inspired by the legendary Speed Racer theme, as specified by the owner of the car. But as impressive as it might be, the design pales in comparison with the technology present beneath the car's carbon fiber skin. The monocoque chassis weighs only 70 kg and the dry weight of the car is 1,330 kg, which makes it the lightest fully homologated hypercar in production, according to Koenigsegg. That's all the more remarkable given the fact that the 5.0-liter V8 bi-turbo engine is capable of 1,115 horsepower and 1,200 Nm when running on E85 ethanol biofuel (940 hp and 1,100 Nm on regular 95 octane gasoline).

Nissan Qashqai Surpasses 1 Million Sales Milestone

Nissan's well-received Qashqai model has just passed the 1,000,000 sales mark after four years in production. The compact crossover model, which is also known as the Dualis in Japan and Australia and other markets, was designed and engineered in Britain. Introduced in 2007, Nissan expanded the crossover's range with the presentation of the seven-seater, long-wheelbase version called the Qashqai+2 in 2008, while the entire series received an update in March 2010 with a refreshed design and powertrain refinements.

Holden Unveils Aussie-Built Cruze Series II with New 2.0L Diesel and 1.4L Turbo Petrol

Holden, General Motors' Australian division, introduced an updated version of its Cruze sedan bearing the Series II moniker today. The facelift brings powertrain, chassis and some styling changes, but most importantly, it marks the switch to local production starting from March, 2011. Up until now, the Holden Cruze sedan was imported to Australia from Korea. The first locally built compact model in the country in more than a decade will be manufactured at Holden's plant in Elizabeth, South Australia.
The styling updates on the Cruze Series II are kept to a minimum and concern the new trapezoidal grille, subtly redesigned front bumper, new headlamp bezels and a different rear fascia treatment.
The facelift brings two new engines, a 2.0-liter turbo diesel and a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline unit, while the naturally aspirated 1.8-liter engine carries over with some minor revisions from the Series 1 model.

Ford Brings SYNC Technology to Europe Starting with the New Focus

Ford will offer the infotainment and connectivity system to its European models starting from 2012, the company announced today. The all-new Focus will be the first vehicle in Europe to feature the SYNC technology, with other models to follow. Ford said it wants to have 2 million SYNC-equipped cars on European roads by 2015.

U SPY...from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show

We're less than 48 hours away from the automotive extravaganza known as the 81st Geneva Motor Show and automakers are scrambling to get their booths ready for the grand opening on Tuesday. We'll be covering all the news from the press days of course, but thanks to a Carscoop reader, we can now give you an exclusive look at the cars being loaded off the trucks in front of the Palexpo Center in Geneva as well as a sneak peak at some of the automakers stands inside. Check out the gallery right after the break.

Smart Roadster Concept Heading to 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Remember the patent designs of a topless, two-seat Smart model that we first showed you back in December, 2010? Well, according to Carscoop sources, the drawings are of a concept speedster model that will make its world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March 1.
We also learned the concept is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear wheels, and that while Smart's parent company Mercedes-Benz has no plans to create a production version of the speedster-like model, key styling cues such as the headlamp and grille designs will pass on to the next generation Smart cars like the new Fortwo and the upcoming 5-door variant.

U Spy: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster Convoy Scooped in Spain

Carscoop reader Frank Jonas hit the Mercedes-Benz jackpot when travelling in Spain last week, he stumbled upon a convoy of camo'ed SL prototypes, which were accompanied by several other vehicles with the star on their bonnet including an example of the current generation of the German firm's hardtop roadster model.
"On my trip to the south of Spain last week I had the opportunity to take some pictures of a heavily camouflaged Mercedes-Benz Coupe/Cabriolet, most probably the next SL," Frank told Carscoop.
Although Mercedes has done its best to disguise the SL by covering it in heavy cladding, we can see that the new generation model keeps its predecessor's two-piece folding hard top, while the styling is expected to adopt the German firm's more "artsy" design philosophy as seen on the latest CLS and recent concept models such as the F800 Style, along with a more in-your-face front grille.

Edo Competition Outdoes Itself with 227mph – 365 km/h Lamborghini Murcielago LP750

Edo Competition’s previous Lamborghini Murcielago LP640-tune was a 710HP monster capable of reaching a top speed of 352 km/h or 219 mph, which apparently made it the fastest and most powerful Murcielago in the world. Now, the German tuner has gone one step further by introducing a 750HP variant that continues on to a maximum velocity of 365 km/h (227 mph).

Dacia Reportedly Preparing New Seven Seater MPV for 2012

It appears that Renault's low cost brand Dacia is getting ready to expand its reach into yet another segment. After the top of the line Duster soft roader, the Romanian manufacturer is planning a seven seater MPV for next year, at least according to a report from French car journal, L'Automobile.

SEAT Adds 4WD Option to Alhambra Minivan

The VW Sharan's Spanish sibling is now more worthy of the “multi-purpose” label as SEAT has presented a new variant with a permanent all-wheel drive system for the Alhambra. The new model benefits from the latest-generation of VW's 4x4 system, electronically controlled and set up for improved driving dynamics.

Lexus Announces 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition

Lexus has unwrapped the limited run 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition convertible, which is set to go on sale in the U.S. later this month. Only 175 units will be built, each carrying a $55,120 (not including $875 destination) sticker and some styling and performance upgrades over the standard model.

VIDEO: New Pagani Huayra Makes Gaming Debut in Need for Speed Shift 2

While daydreaming never hurt anyone, let's face it; how many of you will ever have the chance to sit behind the wheel of Horacio Pagani's latest hypercar? If someone happened to raise their hand, please free to send us an email and we'll get back to you before you can say Huayra.
Fortunately, there's some good news for all us non-millionaire daydreamers as the 700+ horsepower Huayra is one of the cars listed on the upcoming racing game, Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed. The game is scheduled for release on March 29 in the U.S., March 25 in the UK and April 1 for the rest of Europe. You can get a virtual taste of the new Pagani in the trailer after the jump.

Ducati Hits the Waves with Special Edition Cigarette Racing Team Speed Boat

Ducati and Cigarette Racing unveiled today in Miami the new Cigarette Racing 42X Ducati Edition powerboat. The event was part of the Miami International Boat Show and it officially marked a collaboration between the motorcycle company and the boat builder.
The new speed boat features Ducatti's colors with a white base and red stripes. The 42 feet long racer can plow through waves at speeds that exceed 120 mph (200 km/h), thanks two Mercury Racing Engines that deliver a mind numbing 2,200-horses, or the HP equivalent from seven Focus RS.

Infiniti Etherea Hybrid Concept Previews New Compact Hatchback

This five-door hatchback model is the Infiniti Etherea concept, and it's set to be unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March. The Etherea previews the Japanese brand's foray into the compact luxury segment, with the...

Volvo's 2011 S60 Slips into its Racing Uniform

If you're searching for a...really naughty version of the 2011 Volvo S60, then look no further than to this race-spec model that's being readied for track by K-PAX Racing to defend the team's 2010 World Challenge GT Manufacturers′ and Drivers′ champion titles. The K-PAX team is preparing two all-wheel drive S60s, which will make their debut at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, in late April, for the fourth round of the World Challenge schedule.

Huayray! New Pagani Supercar to be Officially Sold in the United States

We have some pretty good news for Pagani fans with a hefty bank account in the States; the Italian firm is finally entering the U.S. market for the very first time with its new Huayra supercar. The company's previous model, the Zonda, was barred from the U.S. due to emissions restrictions, but that's not the case with the new Huayra.
According to Pagani Automobili's managing director, Francesco Zappacosta, the 700-horsepower exotic supercar will cost around $1.1 million and it’ll be available later this year initially through two select dealers.

SpeedART Goes Extra Wide with New Porsche Cayenne Titan EVO-XL 600

Even though the Essen Motor Show sounds like a more appropriate event for a tuning proposal like the Titan EVO-XL 600, the crew at SpeedART has decided to unveil its latest offering for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne at the Geneva Motor Show this March. If the Cayenne Titan EVO-XL looks familiar, that's because it's wider-body version of the Titan EVO (hence the XL in the name).

The Biggest Threat to the Chevy Volt are...Rats?!

Okay, readers: hands up if you like rats. No, not the cute white ones you see in science labs or can buy at pet shops. I’m talking about the sewer-dwelling, disease-carrying ones that invade your house to eat, poop and scare your misses.
What if I told you those same feral rats are not only a danger to your home but also to your brand-spanking-new plug-in hybrid extended range electric vehicle? How’s that grab you, hmm?
So a month ago , the automotive mavens at Kicking Tires were handed the keys to a new Chevrolet Volt. What’s that got to do with rats, you ask? Well, in a move that some at the office have labeled, “karmic justice” and others have labeled, “bloomin’ rats”, a member of the repressed rodent classes has attacked Kicking Tires’ futuristic loaner and rendered it befuddled. *Gasp!*

Ram Truck Announces New Entry-Level 1500 HEMI V8, Still to Decide on Name

In a somewhat strange move, the Chrysler Group's Ram Truck division announced today that it would launch a new entry-level version of its 1500 pickup truck equipped with a standard HEMI V8 engine, but it has yet to decide on the vehicle's name. According to the company, the new model is currently known under the code name “Adventurer".

Lincoln Presents MKT Town Car and Limousine Editions to Replace Panther-Based Town Car

For the past 30 years, Lincoln's panther platform-based Town Car has offered its services to a great number of limousine and chauffer operators throughout the country and abroad, but production of the current model will finally come to an end this fall leaving a gap in the company's range.
But FoMoCo isn't about to let go of this financially prosperous niche segment. At the 2011 International LCT (Limousine, Charter, and Tour) show in Las Vegas, Lincoln unveiled the car's successors in the form of the chauffeur-dedicated and MKT-based Town Car Livery and Limousine editions.

Panzer on Wheels: Audi Unveils the Armored 2011 A8 L Security

As any self-respecting luxury car manufacturer, Audi is also offering its customers BRVs or Bullet Resistant Vehicles, with the latest such model being the W12-powered 2011 A8 L Security. Set to go on sale in late summer, this...panzer on wheels will also be available with another, as of yet unspecified powerplant, starting from 2012.
To the untrained eye, the 5.27 meters (208 inches) long sedan is almost identical to the standard A8, but looks are definitely deceiving as the Security is said to comply with the strictest standards in ballistic protection and can even withstand an explosion and still offer adequate protection for its passengers.

New BMW Performance Kit Boosts 2.0-liter Diesel's Output to up 200HP

As well setting the stage for the world premiere of the Vision CD roadster concept and the production version of the pure-electric 1-Series ActiveE, the Geneva Motor Show will also see the launch of BMW's new Performance Power Kit for the firm's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine found on numerous models including the 1-,3- and 5-Series range in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. The upgrade is available for both the previous 177HP as well as the newer 184HP 2.0L engine.