Add to the spacey sound track a truly silly marketing line of "space lights" known to the rest of the world as "under body neon," a classy lightning bolt logo below a yet even classier rear spoiler on the back, new leather interior and leather floors and you have a vehicle truly fit for Captain Kirk.

World Debut at the Essen Motor Show 2008

The Very First Tuned Electric Car Comes From BRABUS:
BRABUS Customization Program for the Tesla Roadster

The first tuned electric car comes from BRABUS: The first project of the future cooperation between Tesla Motors, Inc. and the new BRABUS business division Zero Emission celebrates its world debut at the 2008 Essen Motor Show. BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet www.brabus.com) presents an exclusive customization program for the Tesla Roadster, the world’s first electrically powered production sports car.

The new BRABUS logo with added lightning bolt is the trademark of BRABUS Zero Emission vehicles.

To give the sports car a more exciting sound the BRABUS electronics specialists have developed a ‘space sound generator.’ The occupants on-board the Tesla Roadsters can choose from several simulated engine sounds including that of a typical V8 combustion engine, a racecar engine and two futuristic soundscapes named ‘Beam’ and ‘Warp.’ The volume of the sound is dependent on the momentary power output of the electric motor.

A custom-tailored BRABUS tire/wheel combination further improves handling characteristics. The two-seater is refined with weight-optimized BRABUS Monoblock S light-alloy wheels in size 7Jx18 in front and in size 8.5Jx19 in back. BRABUS technology partner Pirelli provides the corresponding P Zero Nero high-performance tires in size 215/35 ZR 18 in front and in size 255/30 ZR 19 on the rear axle. These tires were developed to deliver minimum rolling resistance.

The two-seater also receives an even more striking exterior at BRABUS. The customization measures include a special high-quality ‘matte white’ paintjob. To give the mid-engine sports car an even more enticing face the BRABUS designers treat the front apron to a lightweight carbon-fiber front lip and daytime running lights integrated into the front grille. Matte-white surrounds for the headlamps add interesting detail to the overall effect.

The sides of the Tesla are upgraded with BRABUS entrance lights shaped like futuristic space lights. They are activated with the keyless fob or by pulling on a door handle. BRABUS carbon-fiber air inlets add even more sporty flair. Immediately apparent in the rear are the BRABUS rear wing and the BRABUS rear diffuser, both made from light yet extremely strong carbon fiber. The round taillights are accentuated further by matte-white applications.

The BRABUS customization program for the Tesla Roadster also includes exclusive interior options. The range of products starts with scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS logo. They are integrated into the top of the rocker panels.

The company-own BRABUS upholstery shop masterfully handcrafts exquisite custom interiors for the Tesla. The designers chose a combination of especially soft yet durable BRABUS perforated lightweight leather and Alcantara. The cockpit features white seams to reflect the exterior color. The vehicle floor is also upholstered with lightweight leather for added exclusivity.

The goal of the BRABUS customization concept for the Tesla Roadster is to define a potential limited edition as well as an individual tuning program for the Tesla driver.

For additional BRABUS information please visit our web site at www.brabus.com

[Source: BRABUS]

New for the Mercedes S-Class and CL-Class: BRABUS 22-Inch Wheels and BRABUS Aluminum Sport Fenders

Size does matter after all: With the new 22-inch BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels BRABUS opens the door to a new dimension for the latest Mercedes S-Class sedan and the CL-Class coupe. The latest BRABUS development offers more than just spectacular looks; the new wheels also provide sporty handling with large safety reserves. BRABUS further refines the luxury sedan with strikingly styled sport front fenders.

Discerning automotive enthusiasts can choose from three popular BRABUS Monoblock designs. The most classic of BRABUS wheels, the BRABUS Monoblock VI light-alloy wheel with its six polished double spokes is available in this new king-size format as is the sporty- looking Monoblock S wheel styling with its five polished double spokes. The third BRABUS option in this size is the 22-inch version of the Monoblock E wheel family. It features nine strikingly styled spokes and a polished drop center.

The new 22-inch Monoblock wheels can be mounted on the luxury sedan and the exclusive coupe in size 10Jx22 front and back. The German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) approved high-performance tires in size 275/25 ZR 22 in front combined with size 295/25 ZR 22 tires on the rear axle. Thanks to a special tire design geared specifically towards luxury sedans and high-performance coupes, the new BRABUS tire/wheel combinations offer sporty and agile handling paired with excellent ride comfort.

To give the S-Class sedan an even more striking appearance the BRABUS designers have developed custom-tailored aluminum sport fenders that replace the production front fenders. The exclusive appearance is characterized by an air outlet made from clear-coated carbon and a horizontal brace that spans the outlet with embossed BRABUS signet and integrated LED lights. The latter are activated just like the ones in the BRABUS rocker panels via the keyless remote or by pulling on a door handle.

In addition, BRABUS offers specially calibrated suspension modules for these latest top-of-the-line complete-wheel sets. They are available in custom versions for vehicles with air suspension or with ABC active suspension. They give both sedan and coupe a sportier yet still comfortable ride, and lower the ride height by some 25 millimeters (1.0 inches).

The new large wheels naturally offer ample space for highly efficient fade-free BRABUS high-performance brake systems. Three different versions are available including a high-end brake system with 12-piston fixed aluminum calipers and vented and perforated front discs measuring 380 x 36 millimeters (15.0 x 1.4 inches). The rear axle features discs measuring 355 x 28 millimeters (14.0 x 1.1 inches) and six-piston fixed aluminum calipers.

Like all BRABUS light-alloy wheels the new 22-inch wheels are manufactured in OEM quality and represent state-of-the-art production technology.

[Brabus]

AC Schnitzer brings Transparency to Transmissions
Gear knob with digital gear display for BMW and MINI models

High performance drivers usually play the transmission like a virtuoso: clutch, shift, gas. Depending on the number of gears, the stick passes through the gate up to six times in each direction - up and down again. Which gear are we in now? It's purely a matter of feel, even on modern "manuals".?

The new sports gear knob from AC Schnitzer, with its digital display, now not only offers visual feedback as in a sequential box, but enhances the interior as a particularly cool accessory. Best of all: it will fit almost all BMW and MINI models with manual transmission, whether brand new or somewhat older. With its bright red digits and thanks to a light sensor the digital display is perfectly visible under all lighting angles and fits perfectly into the typical interior illumination of the vehicles from Munich or Oxford.?

Nor do you have to worry about complex installation: the new gear knob can be installed by any workshop, in just a few minutes. As the display changes are triggered by position sensors, apart from a power supply no further wiring is required. And thanks to? AC Schnitzer, you can move up a gear in terms of style!

The supercharger package is currently undergoing final tuning at the Vortech facilities and is targeted for sale in August. This one made an appearance at the All-Mopar Nationals last weekend where tipster Adam Geake, owner of HXC Performance, snapped a couple of shots for us. Expect more news from Adam soon, as HXC is working on a 'Cuda version of the Challenger for all those Plymouth fans out there.

We're going to get serious here for a second. This kind of thing should almost be illegal. For the cost of a used 'Stang and five G's, anyone can rock out with something like 700 HP? That's insane. That's unbelievable. That's making us reach for the Autotrader!

UNLEASH UP TO 700 HORSEPOWER WITH NEW TVS2300 ROUSHCHARGER®

LIVONIA, Mich. (July 10, 2008) - ROUSH® Performance has always been the
leader in powertrain performance and with the introduction of the new
TVS2300 ROUSHcharger® it is possible for owners of any 2005 to 2009 Ford
Mustang GT to inject up to 700 horsepower under the hood.

The new TVS2300 ROUSHcharger will be available in a variety of packages
to fit the needs from enthusiasts wanting a new complete kit with a
warranty, those simply looking to get the maximum horsepower with a
custom tune, and owners wishing to upgrade a car with an existing
ROUSHcharger system. The new TVS2300 ROUSHcharger was first used on the
2008 ROUSH P-51A™ Mustang vehicle builds to much acclaim.

For those willing to explore the wild side, the TVS2300 ROUSHcharger is
now sold separately allowing custom tuners to develop their own
calibration which can push the horsepower anywhere from 510 to more than
700. This is the first time that ROUSH is offering specialty tuning
firms the option of using their own calibrations and being creative with
their tune on a ROUSHcharger. This kit includes a cold air intake
system, unique fuel rail with 52 lb.-hr. injectors, a dual 60 mm
electronic throttle body, all hardware, brackets and instructions. With
a one-year component warranty, this kit retails for $5,899 (part number
403994).

Owners of an existing ROUSHcharger system can upgrade to the TVS2300
ROUSHcharger for $4,999 (part number 403995). This kit includes several
of the same components above but utilizes as many of the installed
ROUSHcharger components as practical to help reduce the upgrade cost.
Customers will need to work with a custom tuner for maximum performance.
For complete details, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com.

The TVS2300 ROUSHcharger utilizes Eaton's new Twin Vortices Series
technology. The patented design on this supercharger system features a
four-lobe rotor and high-flow inlet which greatly enhances thermal
efficiency, higher volume capacity, and higher operational speeds.

"The gloves are off for the specialty tuners to get really creative
with a ROUSHcharger now," said Joe Thompson, general manager of ROUSH
Performance. "We're excited to see what some of these guys can do
with the new TVS2300 ROUSHcharger and really explore the type of
performance that this new unit is capable of. We've heard some numbers
from a couple of exploratory installs already and I must say that they
are very impressive."

The complete kit with a ROUSH-backed 3-year/36,000 mile engine warranty
will be available shortly. This version of the TVS2300 ROUSHcharger is
50-state legal and rated at 510 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque.
Included in the package is the complete TVS2300 ROUSHcharger system
featuring new upper and lower intake manifolds for the high capacity
air-to-water intercooler and larger TVS supercharger. A custom ROUSH
calibration is included, as well as new fuel rails and high-flow 52
pound fuel injectors, a high-flow capacity fuel pump, as well as a dual
electronic throttle body. A ROUSH Cold Air Kit with a stylish carbon
fiber clean air tube helps to dress up the engine bay and provides
improved performance.