We’ve already reported on this IS-F, created for last year’s SEMA, but the soundtrack is worth another listening. If you care about the car’s full specs, The Lexus Enthusiast knows all.

Hat tip to AlieN.

Hennessey's been getting mighty cozy with GM's new line of supercharged small blocks, first tuning the Corvette ZR1 to create the amazing ZR700 and ZR750, and now getting their hands dirty on the wolf in sheep's clothing 2009 Cadillac CTS-V to create the Hennessey V700 CTS-V. The only real numbers that matter are the following; 700-horsepwer @ 6,300 rpm, 701 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm, 0-60 in 3.1 seconds, 1/4 mile in 10.9 @ 129 mph and a top speed of 211 mph when you're rowing your own gears. You can't deny that those are impressive numbers, especially considering that they're being made by a 4200 lb luxury sedan.

Hennessey's first order of business was to open up the lungs of the 6.2-liter supercharged LSA V8 by strapping on a 4-inch cold air induction system, 1 7/8-inch long tube stainless steel headers, 3-inch stainless steel mid pipes and high flow cats. Next they tapped into the brain with an engine management software upgrade. The nice Eaton supercharger sitting in-between the cylinder banks received a new pulley and snout and the intercooler received a heat exchanger upgrade. The Houston crew then cracked open the motor to give the V700 a nice upgraded camshaft as well as new high flow cylinder heads.

Included in the package are an aggressive looking set of 20-inch HRE wheels neatly wrapped with 305/45-20 Nitto drag radial tires, Hennessey embroidered head rests, and a serial numbered plaque on both the dash and under the hood. Hennessey hasn't released the price for the package just yet, but you can purchase any of these upgrades for your '09 CTS-V separately. We beg to ask the question why you'd purchase them separately when this is such a badass complete package. If we had the money... well, our Dad told us not to dream like that anymore.

If 700-horsepower isn't enough for you, Hennessey is also developing the V800 Twin Turbo that has, you guessed it, 800 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm @ 15 psi and 780 lb-ft torque @ 4,400 rpm via a twin ball bearing turbo setup. We'll bring you updates when we learn more. [via Hennessey]

G-Power's newest tuned monstrosity, the BMW M6 Coupe-based Hurricane CS, appears ready to break records like its stablemate, the M5-based Hurricane RS. Whereas the Hurricane RS set a world record for the fastest sedan with a top speed of 228mph (367.4km/h), the Hurricane CS is eyeing the same speeds which would make it the fastest BMW coupe in the world.

In order to pull of this impressive feat, G-Power has dropped in their twin-supercharged BMW M V10 which is capable of developing 750-horsepower and 590lb-ft or torque in high revving fashion. G-Power installs its own belt-driven ASA T1-316 superchargers, tuned to increase the volume of air by up to 25% while running on separate cylinder banks. G-Power's math seems a bit off, but we'll roll with it. The engine was also tuned with Mahle forged pistons, effectively reducing compression, as well as higher tolerance rods and pins to help them handle the increase in performance.

Not content with just providing a performance package, G-Power has also produced this somewhat toonish widebody aero-kit painted in something we like to think of as 'smurf blue.' They've also included a fully adjustable suspension system, carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin rubber-wrapped 21-inch wheels. You can pick up this non-recession proof G-Power Hurricane CS package for around $478,000 USD. [via G-Power]

The company doesn't explicity say this vehicle is based on the F430 but, even with the substantial reworking of the body with carbon fiber and aluminum, it's clear to anyone with eyes it's a Ferrari. Power comes from a 4.4-liter V8 with two superchargers, propelling this mean piece of orange sherbet to 62 MPH in 3.4 seconds. We're waiting to see an actual version of the car before we make a full judgment of the Luca Serafini Stile design, but with only 11 models being produced we expect it's a bit too pricey to end up in our garage.

The World's Most Exclusive High-End Sports Car: The NOVITEC TuLesto with 777 hp and a Top Speed of More than 350 km/h

There are many fascinating automobiles money can buy but its spectacular design, its uncompromising high-performance concept and its limited edition of just eleven cars make the new NOVITEC TuLesto the most exclusive high-end sports car in the world.

The mid-engine racer is 204 centimeters wide and weighs in at just 1,260 kilograms. It is built by German automobile manufacturer NOVITEC in Stetten in Bavaria. At the heart of the two-seater is a V8 engine with dual superchargers and a rated power output of 777 hp / 571.8 kW. Thanks to its carbon fiber and aluminum construction the coupe has an excellent power-to-weight ratio of just 1.62 kg/hp. The result is driving performance that only very few super sports cars can match: The sprint from rest to 100 km/h takes less than 3.4 seconds, and the NOVITEC TuLesto reaches 300 km/h after just 22.6 seconds. Top speed is more than 350 km/h.

The new high-end sports car represents NOVITEC's first proprietary car and marks the company's 20th anniversary. "With the NOVITEC TuLesto we transform our collective know-how from two decades of automobile tuning into an uncompromising high-performance sports car for eleven of our long-time customers from around the world," says NOVITEC managing director Wolfgang Hagedorn. "The TuLesto offers an optimal symbiosis of exceptional driving dynamics and exciting yet aerodynamically efficient styling."

Light-weight construction was one of the main goals from the very start of the project. The designers' materials of choice are normally found in racecars. The chassis and the integrated safety cell are made entirely from aluminum, making them extremely light while at the same time giving them extraordinary rigidity.

The striking design of the sports car is the result of a cooperation between NOVITEC and the Italian design studio Luca Serafini Stile in Modena. The unmistakable shape of the TuLesto was created using state-of-the-art CAD and CFD technologies, further augmented by the use of the wind tunnel. The TuLesto is 462 centimeters long, 204 centimeters wide and has a height of 122 centimeters.

The spectacular curves of the fenders, the front apron, the shape of the rear and the smooth underbody with integrated venturi tunnel and diffuser were calibrated in the wind tunnel to create an optimal aerodynamic balance.

For perfect weight distribution the NOVITEC TuLesto was designed with a classic mid-engine layout. The 4.4-liter four-valve V8 engine with dual superchargers is installed directly behind the cockpit. The high-tech engine produces a maximum power output of 777 hp / 571.8 kW at 8,200 rpm and a peak torque of 727 Nm at 6,300 rpm.

Motorsports was also the inspiration for the power transfer: The six gears of the semi-automatic gearbox with integrated anti-slip differential are shifted with carbon-fiber paddles behind the steering wheel. An adjustable traction control system with launch control for perfect starts guarantees maximum driving safety on the road and on the track.

The NOVITEC engineers and technicians also used racing technology on the suspension: As in GT-series racing, the TuLesto features double-wishbone suspension front and rear, height-adjustable struts with various selectable damping rates, and adjustable sway bars. For easy negotiating of underground parking ramps or similar obstacles the TuLesto front can be raised four centimeters at the push of a button. The anti-lock braking system features ceramic composite discs and six-piston fixed calipers front and back for maximum stopping power and endurance.

Another elementary contribution to the superior driving dynamics of the NOVITEC TuLesto comes from its ultra-light light-alloy wheels with diameters of 20 or 21 inches. These wheels were custom-developed for this coupe and are fitted with semi slicks up to 355 millimeters wide on the rear axle.

The interior design has a decidedly sporty nature but also offers creature comforts such as a climate-control system and a high-end sound system. Lightweight carbon fiber plays a dominating role in the interior as well: It is used for dashboard, center console and door trim as well as for the bucket seats which will be custom-fitted in form, shape, size, color and upholstery to each of the eleven future owners.

The creation of the eleven Limited Edition NOVITEC TuLesto super sports cars can be viewed in a web special at www.TuLesto.com.

# # #

Three things about this particular C63 AMG. First, it's a rolling testbed for RENNtech, an established tuner of all things Mercedes, and has the prototype machined airbox to prove it. The second thing to know is power output's been pegged at over 580 HP, more than 100 HP over the stock AMG. There's a thick layer of expelled rubber on the rear fender to prove it. The third thing? It's still a Mercedes, and it has the luxury to prove it.

Driving in Miami isn't about going fast, especially given the well-known congestion, rather, it's about looking stylish. Gleaming Bentley, Aston and Ferrari chrome is blindingly everywhere. They're almost as plentiful as police officers with their laser guns and unmarked Nissan Altima Coupes. So how do you avoid running into a squad car and landing in prison?

This C63 was sporting a rear-view mirror embedded with the readout from the radar/laser detector (a Valentine One system), which gave direction and type of surveillance while looking like a stock compass readout. It's the original OEM mirror and all of the built-in features, such as day/night auto and garage openers, are fully functional. How did they do this?

I spoke with Raymond Allen of Technicar, the company that designed the system. "It's stealth-mounted in the car so no one knows it is in the rearview mirror. Many cars have it so the compass will readout into the rearview mirror, so it looks like an OEM device but it gives you a stealth readout that no one knows its there."

It works flawlessly. Speeding up an on-ramp, I hear the familiar chrip of the detector and quickly glance up at the mirror to see there's a car shooting us with laser from the rear at close range. We're going faster than the posted 45 MPH speed limit but no one gives chase. This is probably because the officer is getting an error message on the laser unit.

The other trick piece on this car is the laser jammer. More authorities are switching over to laser because it's more precise and, of course, no one wants to put a radiation stick in their crotch all day, so having a laser jammer is a big lifesaver if you have a lead foot.

When the cop shoots you with their gun it's typically sending out a few short beams of light and waiting to get them back in order to process the information and determine a speed. As soon as the sensors in the C63 sense the signal it automatically sends back the wrong data. For instance, if the laser gun sends five short beams of light at a car coming towards the officer, the car may send back three beams made to look is if the car is moving in the other direciton, thus causing an error.

After battling the traffic, and the cops, I drive the car out to a more secluded part of Miami. As opposed to the danger represented by driving quickly on crowded streets, the greatest threat we face is O.J. Simpson, who owns a house not too far from where we go to stretch the car's legs out.

Even without long stretches of open road it's clear this stealthy silver Benz can sprint. With the resonator delete, maybe stealthy isn't exactly the right word. There's a serious growl. And maybe the RENNtech logo splayed across the windshield and slicks on the back are a bit of a giveaway to the observant. But one moment you're at a stop sign and the next you're going 80 MPH. The company hasn't done official 0-60 testing yet, but with 465 Lb-Ft of torque, we imagine that figure is largely dependent on what kind of tires the car is wearing. Fitted with these slicks, getting the power down isn't too difficult.

The rest is easy, too. It was surprising how effortless it was to throw the car around as we rocketed through the neighborhood and across on-ramps. The stiffer suspension, strut tower brace and lower stance contribute to a solid feel without sacrificing much in the way of comfort over the road... assuming you're willing to go over bumps at an angle. Traction control works, thankfully, keeping the C63 off of the grass when the wheels spin faster than the gears in the driver's brain, as I learned first hand. Given the performance on tap, it's surprising that this tuner version can retain most of the stock C-Class's civility.

As this car is a mule, I'm not ready to pass judgment on the fit-and-finish. It looks good at a distance and, up close, any shortcomings are sort of endearing and show signs of serious use. RENNtech achieves a lot of gains through clever tuning of the car's ECU, which doesn't mean much until you see the rubber caked on the inside of the wheel well or hear it take off. Computer programmers FTW!

Back in traffic, the car melts back into the Mercedes mold, the incessant beeping of the mirror being the only obvious giveaway. There's no need to sacrifice anything if you want to play Hyde by day and Jekyll by night. That's not completely true. You'll need to fork over an as-of-yet determined chunk of change.

To further differentiate it from the lowly C63 AMG it's based on, a body kit is in the works. Nice as it might look with wider fenders, we think we prefer it the way it is, more sleeper than silly. As a work-in-progress this vehicle is still within the realm of gearheads, not the polished world of dentists who wanted to buy a toy with their dirty plaque money.

A major point of owning a hybrid vehicle is, of course, sheer righteousness. They're very helpful in projecting your car’s green credentials with their wind tunnel-inspired jellybean styling.

Even closer to the ideal of a cutie bunny slipper of a vehicle than the second generation Prius was the first Insight: a lithe 2-seater made of aluminum and powered by a one-liter three-cylinder engine with 70 HP. Oh, and an extra 10 HP from an electric motor. Don’t forget that. In fact, if you take a Hamilton Beach Model 1G912 professional bar blender along for the ride, you can up the horsepower figure to 82.

But what if, in the quest for even more power, you swapped all that stuff out and replaced it with something more substantial?

Say, a rev-happy 2-liter K20 Honda engine with VTEC trumpets and 200 HP. This is exactly what the mischievous gremlins of LHT Performance did to produce the Honda K-Sight.

MrLHT of the team had this to say:

We stiffened the whole car by welding extra braces, as well as building a complete sub frame, which ties the whole front together, and course the whole thing is aluminum.

The mounts are Honda OEM mounts from various Honda Vehicles so the car is very smooth with no teeth chattering. In fact you can’t feel it idle in the driver seat.

Now for numbers, with very little tuning the car is making over 200whp with a very quiet exhaust and tied with a JDM 6 speed transmission accelerates like a rocket. The car feels very tight and has great feel due the extra bracing and a custom alignment.

With the Insight’s fantastic drag coefficient of 0.25 guiding all that power through the atmosphere, the K-Sight does 46 miles to the gallon—and you get to look greener than green. Well, red, but you get the idea.

Photo Credit: LHT Performance

Exhibit A would be the above dyno party produced by NYCE1S.com.The focus of the evening is CarlitoDaKing taking on Ceazdachamp in cars with their hoods removed to expose turbochargers the size of jet engines. While the propellers dip into the lunatic end of the rev range you cringe in anticipation of the whole shebang blowing up and showering the packed crowd with cherry-hot pieces of metal.

As both the DJ and the turbos spin away, it slowly dawns on the viewer that we’re seeing an exquisite parody of what we should expect from a post-Carpocalyptic car culture. It's a sport where inflated and wholly pointless horsepower ratings with no roads to utilize them on do nothing to tamp the fun to be had. If this is the new automotive sub-culture in a world without money, we at least applaud the attention to technical detail if not the adrenalin rush of the old method of doing the same thing — straight-line racing on a drag strip.

Best known in the US for the Alpina B7, which is the M7 BMW never built, Alpina has a long history of tweaking diesels in Europe. Taking a smaller engine from the diesel 123d and transplanting it in the 3-series is a touch strange, but you end up with a unique tuner car capable of adequate performance, a 152 MPH top speed and impressive mileage of 45 MPG (US).

For just $43,000 you can feel as green as a hybrid owner and, with 332 lb-ft of torque on tap, you can leave them in your eco-friendly dust.

The new BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo Saloon

Unbeatable combination of performance, economy and emissions

The new BMW ALPINA D3. Saloon car evolution of the acclaimed D3 Coupe is now in the showrooms. A four cylinder four-door car, arguably the cleverest buy for all discerning UK drivers, delivering more than any larger engined counterpart in terms of performance, economy, low emissions and sheer exclusivity.

ALPINA engineers have once again used their development of BMW's state-of-the-art twin turbo diesel engine from the 123d, which – at 214 hp – produces more horsepower per litre than any other engine in a current BMW ALPINA road car.

Like the previous D3 Saloon, all UK cars will be ordered in a single specification meaning that customers only need to choose between manual and automatic gearbox and select their preferred colour and trim.

The car is capable of 152 mph and 0-62 mph in 6.9 secs and yet the official fuel consumption and emission figures tell a very different story: 52.3 mpg (overall EU) and 143 g/km (manual gearbox version).

John Quigley, Managing Director of ALPINA GB said: "The previous model D3 was one of our most successful cars ever. We believe we really hit the spot in terms of performance, exclusivity and price. But the new car is even better than the previous model in all the key areas; performance is improved, yet both fuel economy and – crucially – emissions are reduced. Around half of D3 sales will be to business users – who will relish any opportunity to lower their personal benefit in kind charges."

ALPINA GB, part of the Sytner Group, has been the sole UK importer for ALPINA since 1983. ALPINA has worked closely with BMW since 1961, with shared warranty coverage since 1964. ALPINA was registered as an automobile manufacturer to ISO standards in 1983.

[Source: Alpina]

Hennessey, still hot from tuning the Corvette ZR1, will soon offer performance upgrades for the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. The EcoBoost 365 HP, 350 lb-ft twin-turbocharged V6 may have been developed for performance with fuel economy in mind, but the two snails lurking under the hood can easily be turned into something that can beat the hare. The initial Hennessey upgrade package will include an exhaust system, air filter, boost controller, boost gauge, turbo upgrades, intercooler upgrades, suspension and more when it's released later this year.

With John Hennessey owning one of the original Taurus SHOs, we can only imagine the rest of the fun he has in store for this new MoTown hotrod.

[via Hennessey]

Following on the heels of the Hurst Hemi Challenger, this new Viper will get a visual enhancement consisting of new aluminum wheels and the company's famous gold stripes on the outside and lots of leather on the inside. Performance upgrades appear to be limited to a revised suspension and a Corsa exhaust.

The first of 50 Hurst Vipers, in stunning gold-on-black, will be up for auction at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction with the proceeds going to benefit Victory Junction, a camping ground for kids with serious illnesses. We suspect it's appropriate given how sick the Viper is.

Hurst releases first photos of the Hurst/Viper

Irvine, Calif. (January 9th, 2008) - Hurst Performance Vehicles today releases photos of the 50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper. This very special Viper is SERIAL #01 of only 50 to be built by the legendary Hurst Performance Vehicle Group. It features unique flat gold paint with gloss black stripes and black chrome Hurst wheels and detailing. This vehicle will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on January 17th, 2009 with the proceeds donated to Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility for children for chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.

The production Hurst/Viper vehicles will feature the new Hurst HARD-DRIVE® gold anodized pistol-grip shifter, Hurst 19" and 20" polished aluminum wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, Corsa exhaust and Moton Club Sport adjustable coil-over suspension with Eibach springs. The interior features a special Katzkin charcoal leather with Hurst embroidered logos, gold thread detailing and perforated leather inserts. In honor of the Golden Anniversary the vehicle will be available exclusively in Hurst's legendary color combinations of Black with Gold stripes and White with Gold stripes. HURST/Vipers are available for individual order though Hurst Performance Vehicles and Woodhouse Dodge.

[Source: Hurst]

A lot of you were enraged when we referred to the 2009 BMW Z4 as a hairdresser’s car. Today we bring you the non-hairdresser version of the Z4 and it’s not the M Roadster.

OK, we lie, it was an M Roadster at one point, but the owner wasn’t content with the paltry 343 HP inline six it was packaged with from the factory. No, they needed more -– much more. The six was ripped out and replaced by what some call a technical marvel or possibly just the 2005 Engine of the Year — the 5.0-liter V10 from the BMW M5 / M6.

It appears the M5’s donor V10 fits perfectly under the hood of the Z4 and it likely packs quite the wallop when the go pedal is stomped. But when you decide to go, it’s not the stock 507-hp that you’ll be feeling, but a Hartge-tuned 551-hp instead. All this power is routed through a six-speed manual gearbox allowing this non-hairdresser’s Z4 to rocket to 60 much faster than the stock M5’s 4.7 seconds.

The Z4 appears mostly stock from the exterior with the exception of a set 20-inch Hartge wheels – a true sleeper indeed. The asking price for this little beast is a non-carpocalypse friendly 97,900 Euros which rounds out to roughly $140,000 U.S. For that money, you could almost buy five standard M Roadsters to strut your pretty self in, but we’d rather have just this one so we could lay to rest the hairdresser debate once and for all.

[Carscoop via Mobile.de]

Honda also revealed a Civic Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Concept sedan that represents a new approach on performance improvement. With more consumer concern about fuel prices, future customers may want to maximize the performance of their vehicles without compromising fuel economy. Honda Access America, Honda's accessory development company, took on that challenge. Through aerodynamic improvements to the next generation HFP body kit, super-light alloy wheels with aerodynamic covers, a lighter HFP exhaust system and an upgraded HFP suspension kit, this concept offers the possibility of improving both fuel economy and performance. In fact, a very similar package has proven its worth on the race tracks of Japan on the Civic Type R race car, which campaigned in a spec series called the Super Taikyu Series.

Check out the way the harnesses are mounted. By attaching the shoulder belts to a point lower than the shoulders, the driver and passenger’s spines will be compressed in the event of the car running into something. This will crush the vertebrae and could even lead to paralysis in extreme cases.

Other modifications include tastelessly applied decals, plus the usual assortment of big wings, big wheels, lowered suspension and fancy brakes. We’re not sure what’s going on inside the GT-RR’s engine bay, but judging by Bespoke Venture’s online selection of engine upgrades, it’s probably plenty.

Placentia, Calif. (November 3, 2008) — Photos of the new 2009 Hurst/Hemi Challenger – which is currently being prepped for its debut at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas – are now online. Hurst Performance Vehicles will launch its new website, www.HurstPerformanceVehicles.com, tomorrow morning. The new site will function as a virtual showroom for the upcoming 2009 Hurst/Hemi® Challenger, as well as other Hurst Performance Vehicles due to be announced in the near future.

In the coming months the website will feature photos, specs, drive reports and more on the Hurst/Hemi Challenger program. The website will also be updated with photos and video from the 2008 SEMA show press conference being held on Tuesday, November 4, at 3:30pm.

“We’re very excited about the upcoming debut at SEMA, and the new site will deliver all the images, information and excitement of the press conference to our friends, customers and enthusiasts that couldn’t attend the show,” said Nate Shelton, Chairman of Hurst Performance.

Please check the website for updates from the 2008 SEMA show, including photos of the Hurst/Hemi® Challenger unveiling and the latest news from the Hurst Performance press conference.

Founded in 1958, Hurst Performance is one of the most recognized and revered names in the automotive performance arena. The Hurst brand has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality, with an impressive track-record of pioneering high performance products and vehicles for all forms of motorsports and hot-rodding. Hurst was one of the first specialty companies to partner with the OEMs and bring enthusiasts limited edition performance vehicles like the legendary Hurst/Olds 442.

[via Hurst Performance Vehicles]

New from NOVITEC ROSSO: Bi-Kompressor V12 Engine with 808 hp / 594 kW and 823 Nm for the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

A maximum rated power output of 808 hp / 594 kW, a peak torque of 823 Nm and a top speed of more than 340 km/h, all the result of a high-tech twin compressor conversion: NOVITEC ROSSO endows the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano with even more superlatives through professional tuning. The tuning is accompanied by an aerodynamic-enhancement kit developed in the wind tunnel, three-piece 21-inch wheels with correspondingly calibrated sports suspension, a high-performance brake system, and exclusive interior options.

As for the Ferrari F430, NOVITEC ROSSO relies on mechanically supercharging the six-liter four-valve V12 engine of the F599 with two compressors for boosting performance. The cogged-belt driven high-performance superchargers produce a maximum boost pressure of 0.39 bars, and are a lubricated by their own dedicated oil circulation. The pre-compressed air is then cooled down to a level conducive for added power by a large intercooler that itself is cooled by a dedicated water cycle. A specially designed intake manifold with high-performance injectors and sport air filter round out the conversion on the intake side.

In addition, NOVITEC ROSSO installs custom exhaust manifolds calibrated to the twin compressors, and the NOVITEC ROSSO stainless-steel quad sport exhaust system with a tailpipe diameter of 90 millimeters. The exhaust note can be adjusted using the 'manettino' switch on the steering wheel from 'sporty yet discrete' to 'definitely sounds like racing.'

The NOVITEC ROSSO engine management coordinates the perfect interaction of all conversion components. It not only ensures maximum power yield but also exemplary smooth running and maximum longevity.

Compared to the production engine the NOVITEC ROSSO Bi-Kompressor V12 gains 188 hp / 138.4 kW for a new maximum of 808 hp / 594 kW at 7,800 rpm. At the same time peak torque grows by 215 Nm to a new peak of 823 Nm at 6,300 rpm.

In combination with the F1-Superfast transmission, whose six speeds are even faster and more precise to select thanks to longer NOVITEC ROSSO carbon shift paddles, the tuned F599 delivers performance on the highest super sports car level: The sprint from rest to 100 km/h takes just 3.5 seconds. 200 km/h are reached after just 9.7 seconds. And a sprint time of 25.5 seconds from 0 - 300 km/h places the tuned two-seater firmly among the fastest accelerating sports cars in the world. Top speed is more than 340 km/h. The NOVITEC ROSSO Bi-Kompressor engine conversion is available for 46,900 Euros.

Such performance places extreme demands on perfectly balanced aerodynamics. The NOVITEC ROSSO designers went into the wind tunnel to develop aerodynamic-enhancement components that add some visual pizzazz to the 599 and make it more aerodynamically efficient. The front spoiler lip is attached to the production bumper and reduces lift on the front axle. Its aerodynamic counterpart in the rear is the rear diffuser that can optionally be combined with a rear spoiler.

The NOVITEC ROSSO rocker panels calm the airflow between the wheel houses and with their large air inlets optimize the supply of cooling air to the rear brakes.

All NOVITEC ROSSO aerodynamic-enhancement components are also available in a clear-coat carbon-fiber version. The exterior can be further refined with black side markers and black taillights as well as with LED auxiliary brake light and reversing light.

The extensive high-performance package for the 599 also includes custom-tailored NOVITEC ROSSO NF3 light-alloy wheels with high-performance tires from PIRELLI. The tree-piece wheels with five double spokes measure one inch more in diameter than the stock wheels. The front axle is fitted with size 9Jx20 rims and size 275/30 ZR 20 tires. The rear wheels in size 12.5Jx21 with size 355/25 ZR 21 tires provide maximum traction.

These king-size wheels offers space for the high-performance brake system developed in cooperation with Brembo. The brake uses the largest components currently legal for street use. The front and rear features steel discs with diameters of 405 millimeters and six-piston brake calipers. Together they offer an optimal combination of maximum stopping power and endurance.

Bound and rebound of the height-adjustable NOVITEC ROSSO sport suspension can be adjusted to each 599 owner's individual preferences. In addition the suspension also offers a highly useful lift feature that is activated by pushing a button in the cockpit. The front of the car can be raised by 40 millimeters to navigate safely past obstacles such as parking ramps or speed bumps without scraping the front apron. The suspension automatically reverts to its original position once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h.

NOVITEC ROSSO offers the ultimate refinements for the interior of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. The list of options ranges from a leather/carbon-fiber sport steering wheel with flattened bottom for easier entering and exiting, to aluminum foot pedals, to a completely new interior in any color and material combination imaginable.

[Novitec Rosso]

LINCOLN MKS, FORD FOCUS STAND OUT AT SEMA

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 31, 2008 – With its sleek design and strong wheel base, the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS is opening doors in the aftermarket for customization enthusiasts looking for a full-size sedan to make their own.

To demonstrate the personalization potential of Lincoln’s new flagship sedan, Ford will shine the spotlight on three MKS project vehicles at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, which will be held Nov. 4-7 in Las Vegas.

“The MKS has many different facets,” said Ford designer Melvin Betancourt. “You can hot rod it, add a body kit and still maintain that luxury feel, or you can simply dress it up with a nice set of wheels.”

Custom rims are hot in the aftermarket, and unlike many of its competitors in the full-size luxury segment, the MKS was designed to accommodate larger wheels. The stock vehicle comes with 18-inch wheels, and 19- and 20-inch wheels are optional.

“The larger wheelbase gives the option to migrate to a more aggressive, sporty appearance,” said Pei-Wen Hsu, Lincoln MKS marketing manager. “It gives customers a way to make the vehicle unique for themselves.”

Ernie Bunnell, owner of 3dCarbon, had 22-inch NC Forged aluminum wheels custom designed for his 3dCarbon MKS. He also dressed the vehicle in a five-piece custom body kit.

“The styling of the MKS is very appealing to begin with, but the body kit makes a dramatic difference,” he said. “It really jazzes it up and gives it a more European feel.”

A “more European feel” is also what Robert K. Smith, president and CEO of RKSport, was trying to achieve with the MKS he customized for the SEMA show.

“We did the car in silver with 20-inch wheels and black rims, and we also brought the car down to a lower profile as far as ride height is concerned to make it more European-looking,” he said.

To give the car a more muscular feel, Smith says he added an extractor hood with carbon fiber components that look a little more aggressive than the stock hood. He finished off the look with a black Roadwire leather interior.

“The interior on the MKS is extremely nice,” he said. “We applied a bit of silver in the seating area and in the door panels to contrast with the exterior and give it a little more pizzazz.”

In addition to the MKS, the 2009 Ford Focus Coupe will also have a presence at the SEMA show with three project vehicles designed to show that a fuel-efficient small car – it gets 35 mpg on the highway — doesn’t have to fall short on performance and style.

“Based on feedback from our customers, we redesigned the Coupe for 2009 to include new front and rear fascias, a new roof-line spoiler and standard 17-inch aluminum wheels on the SES model,” said Sam De La Garza, Focus marketing manager. “The vehicle is positioned for the youth market as a good value for the money in terms of power and overall feature content, which really gives us a good step in the right direction for this car in the aftermarket.”

Stout Performance worked together with the Barber Driving Experience (BDX) to customize a Focus Coupe for the SEMA show. Chris Stout says he chose the Focus because it offers a very good platform to build upon.

“It’s lightweight. The chassis is very stiff, and the suspension geometry is world-class to the point that it was copied by a few other manufacturers,” he said.

Stout, who is also an instructor for BDX, says he plans to use the vehicle to teach performance driving on the tracks.

“We added a six-point roll cage, which not only makes the car safer for occupants but it stiffens the chassis a bit, which is what you need on a road course,” he said. “We modified the suspension, and we added an F2 Turbo kit for power. So you get better compression, better dampening and a lot more power.”

Bunnell, who also customized a Focus for the SEMA show, enhanced the exterior styling with wheels and a custom body kit.

“We added 19-inch wheels and a five-piece body kit that gives the car a sporty look that’s lower to the ground without actually lowering the vehicle per se,” he said.

In addition to the new MKS and Focus Coupe, Ford will feature other vehicles at SEMA, including the Lincoln MKX, the Ford Edge, Escape and the new Transit Connect. This year’s project vehicles include:

2009 Lincoln MKS by 3dCarbon

Lincoln’s newest luxury vehicle, the 2009 MKS, defines the future of luxury with a sleek, road-hugging stance and elegant design that exudes power and luxury. Now, this breakthrough American luxury car gets a touch of European flare and luxury styling courtesy of 3dCarbon’s “Euro Series” styling kit.

Outfitted with 3dCarbon’s five-piece body kit and NC Forged wheels, this MKS looks ready to drive off the showroom directly onto the autobahn. The dramatic 5-piece “Euro Series” styling kit includes front air dam, side skirts, rear lower skirt, and deck lid spoiler.

2009 Lincoln MKS by Godfather Customs

Designed with crafted precision and intuitive technologies, the 2009 Lincoln MKS is already a vehicle that’s in a league of its own. Godfather Customs has moved this singular luxury car even further from the rest of the field with their own version of the MKS.

Building upon the luxurious Lincoln sedan, Godfather added even more refinement to the interior with an OEM integration that allows full control of the audio and video systems. An additional three video screens provide back seat drivers with their own access to state-of-the-art navigation. At the same time the superior audio quality has been further enhanced with the addition of Excelon components. On the outside, signature 22-inch wheels and tires make a statement that can’t be ignored. With this edition, Godfather Customs moves the MKS from luxurious elegance to pure extravagance.

2009 Lincoln MKS by RKSport

Not all cars are created equal. Designed with crafted precision and intuitive technologies, the 2009 Lincoln MKS offers a unique, personalized driving and ownership experience that represents the ultimate convergence of performance and luxury.

RKSport started with the signature styling and performance powertrain and added a unique look and enhanced performance that make the 2009 Lincoln MKS even more distinctive to own and exciting to drive. Wherever it goes, this car will make a statement about the discerning owner and provide a personalized luxury performance experience second to none.

2009 Ford Focus Coupe by 3dCarbon

Small cars are big news and the 2009 Ford Focus is a solid contender in this fast growing, quickly evolving segment. 3dCarbon brings their experience and expertise to this important market with the introduction of the 2009 Ford Focus Coupe “Euro Series” Styling Kit.

This radically modified “Euro Series” Focus is outfitted in 3dCarbon’s all-new five-piece styling kit that includes a front air dam, side skirts, rear lower skirt and deck lid spoiler. Add high-performance BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW tires mounted on R1 Racing GTR-4 wheels and you’ve got a small car that delivers on the promise of its sporty European good looks. This modified Focus makes for a vehicle that exudes confidence with a brash stance and aerodynamic, road-hugging attitude. On the inside, it features fine and fun touches that include Katzkin leather trim, a suede headliner and Sundial tinted windows.

2009 Ford Focus Coupe by Stout Performance and Barber Driving Experience

The 2009 Ford Focus is built to deliver serious fun. Starting with this capable platform, Stout Performance worked with the Barber Driver Experience to create a vehicle also built for serious competition.

This modified Focus offers dual purpose use, both as a contender in time attack races and as vehicle for the Barber Driving Experience performance driving instruction. It features functional aerodynamics, chassis stiffening via a roll cage, and a high output powerplant. With only mods that are in the spirit of street class competition, this specially prepared Focus will be a true contender on the race course.

2009 Ford Focus Coupe by FSWerks

The 2009 Focus SES coupe has a sharp new look and a long list of equipment designed to deliver an exhilarating driving experience. Focus SES is the coupe for those who want it all…great fuel economy, attention-getting style and responsive performance.

Drawing on years of performance tuning success, the FSWerks crew has taken the newly restyled Focus coupe and transformed it into a head turning example of performance and cutting edge style. It has a bold, bad, attention-grabbing look and the guts to with it, delivering more than double the horsepower and torque of the sporty Focus SES. Yet, this high performance, high-profile coupe is still refined enough for daily driving in comfort and style.

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2008 Lincoln MKX by Street Concepts

The 2008 Lincoln MKX combines capability with luxury and performance in a head-turning package that gets noticed wherever it goes. The available intelligent all-wheel-drive system helps drivers handle the curves and keep a grip on things in any weather while traveling in style and comfort.

The Street Concepts version adds some serious attitude to the Lincoln MKX with 22-inch MOZ Wheels, Continental Tires, 3DCarbon’s body kit and monochrome blackout exterior treatment. On the inside, it entertains and connects with a complete Kenwood audio and video system that includes a Visulogic VMOD unit for wireless internet within the vehicle. For added driving excitement, this proven performer gets a sweet-sounding Magna flow cat back exhaust system and easy breathing K&N air intake system.

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid by EcoTrek

For those who really care about saving gas and saving our planet, Ford made Escape Hybrid the most fuel efficient SUV on the planet. Now for the ultimate environmentalist, EcoTrek offers a Ford Escape Hybrid with the ultimate “Environmental Integration” package.

In this uniquely green vehicle, EcoTrek augments the earth-friendly features of Ford’s revolutionary hybrid SUV with premium components made from recycled and recyclable materials. The interior includes rugged yet luxurious faux leather suede seat covers and carpeted floor mats made from recycled plastics. Key exterior parts, including the tires, wheels, running boards and the skid plate, are all made from reusable materials. Despite this serious commitment to being green, the Escape Hybrid from EcoTrek is also equipped for ultimate fun with enhanced off-road capability and a Hobie watercraft used to assist San Francisco’s Heal the Bay efforts.

2009 Ford Escape by HPA Motorsports Inc.

For active people with demanding lifestyles, the 2009 Ford Escape delivers driving fun and practical utility in the city or in the wilderness. The “Sport” Edition 2009 Ford Escape from HPA Motorsports takes this unique blend of off-road potential and urban performance to the extreme.

Custom wide body flares and brawny exterior styling cues present a street stance worthy of the sure-footed “intelligent” 4WD system. The finely tuned suspension delivers no-compromise handling on or off the road while passengers can chill out and enjoy the comfortable ride with today’s hottest in-car-entertainment.

Ford Transit Connect Concept by H&R Special Springs, LP

The award-winning Transit Connect has established a reputation as the best small cargo van in Europe. In the summer of 2009 this segment busting versatile workhorse will be coming to America.

H&R has taken the popular Ford Transit Connect, redefined it into a get-up-and-go stylin’ street van like no other. Their Transit Connect has been lowered 3 inches in the front, and 4 inches in the rear, enhancing the visual impact of the huge 19-inch tires and wheels. Piloti shoes drew on their design expertise to create a unique interior that employs fine high fashion materials showcasing a palette of colors and textures with the finest workmanship. This unique treatment of a breakthrough vehicle explores the range of customization possibilities for Transit Connect.

2009 Ford Edge "Sport" Edition by Steeda

The 2009 Ford Edge Sport offers a factory-quality, customized crossover for buyers who want added attitude. This customized version of America’s best-selling crossover is available from Ford dealers with many of the appearance mods seen here, including 22-inch polished aluminum rims, an attractive 8-piece body kit, blackout headlamps and taillamps, a dark brushed interior center stack, bold contrast stitching on the shift knob and steering wheel, and the Edge Sport badging.

Drawing on two decades of experience working exclusively with Ford products, Steeda took the 2009 Ford Edge Sport to another level. A host of performance mods provide added power and even sportier handling. On the inside, leather seats and billeted trim deliver increased comfort and amped-up attitude. Unique Steeda graphics let the whole world know that this Edge Sport is something very special.

[Source: Ford]