ABT gets its hands all over the KTM X-Bow

Think of the most extreme vehicles on the road, and if you’re brushed up on your adventurous automobiles, the KTM X-Bow should come to mind. Made by the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer and looking something like a Transformer caught between car and robot modes, the X-Bow is about as extreme as they come. So ABT has decided to tinker with it a bit.
The result of the German tuning firm’s poking and prying is a boost to the 2.0-liter TFSI mill from the standard 240 horsepower, which was good enough to propel the lightweight track-day special to 60 in 3.9 seconds, up to 300 horsepower, which should be enough to tear your face right off. Now if you’re thinking that the X-Bow is already in such high demand that ABT isn’t likely to get its hands on one, think again: the tuning house will act as the X-Bow’s official sales and service agent. Hilarity, in the form of wicked tail-slides and curb assaults, should ensue.


Via: ABT Sportsline

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Hennessey unveils 705 HP Corvette ZR700 upgrade

Not satisfied with the 638 horsepower on tap in your Chevrolet Corvette ZR1? Hennessey Performance has the solution. They’ve come up with a tuning package that includes a smaller supercharger pulley that increases boost from 11 to 14 psi, an upgraded intercooler, K&N intake, stainless steel headers, high-flow catalytic converters, and a reprogrammed engine management system that pushes output past the 700-horsepower mark. If that still doesn’t meet your needs, Hennessey can keep the upgrades coming with high-flow cylinder heads and a more aggressive camshaft that puts the ZR1 at 755 hp. Hennessey’s website says that 1000 hp is attainable, and we’re guessing it involves a pair of turbochargers. Follow the jump to watch a video of the Hennessey ZR700 knock out an 11.03 second quarter-mile with relative ease.

Via: Hennessey Performance

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ASMA Perfectus SLR is anything but

While we can’t say we’re huge fans of previous projects from ASMA Design, we understand that individual taste is beyond debate. The German tuner has customized virtually every car in the Mercedes lineup with its signature deep grilles and other styling elements that are definitely unique. And isn’t that exactly what you’re looking for in a personalized ride? Something unique? Something that stands out from the crowd? Something that makes a mockery of regular old off-the-rack vehicles?
While that mentality can certainly be understood when applied to models that you might pass on the road every day, we don’t know what to think of doing this tuner treatment to an already great supercar like the Mercedes McLaren SLR. We get something like the RENNtech version, which turns the SLR into a DTM racer, but this new ASMA Design SLR is simply beyond us. Dubbed the ASMA Design Perfectus SLR, it was apparently designed for the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi, but will be available to any commoner with an SLR, too. While the bump in horsepower to 700 is attractive, we can’t really say the same for the changes to the bodywork. If this seems like something you’d like done to your SLR, ASMA will be happy to take your €1 million.


Via: MotorAuthority

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Reiter Engineering offers street legal version of Murcielago R-GT racecar

The benefits of motorsports usually have a way of trickling down to road cars, although in this particular case the connection is fairly direct. Reiter Engineering, the factory-backed motorsports company that competes in the FIA GT1 and GT3, recently unveiled a street legal version of its Murcielago R-GT racecar at the Essen Motor Show. The supercar features race-oriented modifications including a carbon fiber front spoiler and rear wing, OZ Racing wheels, and upgraded brakes and suspension components. Reiter also added a new rear fascia, and moved the exhaust system up towards the rear deck lid. Apparently the show car is a one-off, although word has it that it can be had for the right amount of money, and the individual components on the car are also available for purchase.


Via: Autoblog.nl

Brabham BT 92 debuts at Essen, Sir Jack Brabham not so happy

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Brabham BT 92 After seeing a rendering of the M3-based BT 92 from Brabham Racing, we were anxiously anticipating the car’s debut at the Essen Motor Show this past week. The real thing didn’t disappoint – beautiful carbon fiber bodywork, massive brakes, adjustable suspension, and unique wheels wrapped with Dunlop tires. Sound like a winning combination, yet? Well, maybe not. Like many of you, we assumed that the company was directly linked to the Brabham family, well known for its racing success. This is apparently not the case, and according to GoldCoast.com.au, Sir Jack Brabham is upset about the use of his family’s name and has stated that legal action will be taken against the German-based company. The names “Brabham” and “Brabham Racing” have been legally registered, but the desired link to the original race team is apparent in the press release after the jump. We’re not lawyers, but we can’t imagine the use of the Brabham name being allowed for too much longer. Thanks for the tip, Joel.

Via: M3Post.com

Heffner Performance unleashes Camilo Pardo Edition Ford GT

We’ve become familiar with Jason Heffner’s creations over the past few years, from his insanely powerful Lamborghini Gallardos to mindblowingly fast Ford GTs. For his latest project, Heffner has teamed up with Ford GT chief designer Camilo Pardo for a special edition version of the car that looks as good as it is fast. Visually, the American supercar gets a racing inspired paint scheme and graphics, flat black BBS wheels and a new rear bumper from Classic Design Concepts. Inside, the car gets a chrome shift ball, wide-shaft shifter and aluminum seat grommets. Under the bonnet, the GT is blessed with Heffner’s twin-turbo treatment as well as a Camilo-designed billet aluminum intake and black valve covers. Horsepower is rated at north of 900 and the car is capable of topping 200 mph in under 20 seconds while passing through the 1/4 mile at over 150 mph. There’s a press release after the jump with more details and high-res photos in the gallery below over which you have our permission to ogle.

Via: FordGTForum.com

SEMA 2008: Tetsu GTR needs to stay in Vegas

Tetsu GTR Bentley Continental GT


Via: Autoblog (Aftermarket)

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Lexus IS-F gets tuned by Wald

Click above for gallery of the Wald IS-F
The extrovert of the entire Lexus lineup, the IS-F isn’t light on visual or actual horsepower. Japan’s Wald Tuning hasn’t let that fact get in their way of releasing the Sports Line Black Bison bodykit. Wald’s setup adds some visual aggression through an increase in the number of strakes and vents, as well as a trunklid spoiler. Doubtless, this get-up will add weight, possibly offering contradictory real-world performance from a vehicle that certainly looks like it should be fast. The amped-up visuals also help distract from the controversial fender gills, and the Black Bison package for the IS-F manages tack-on without being overly tacky. Well, maybe just a little tacky.

Via: Inside Line

SEMA 2008: Top 10 Nissan GT-Rs

With the exception of the Dodge Challenger, the Nissan GT-R seems to be the vehicle of choice for SEMA. In addition to the numerous Nissan tuners, it seemed that nearly every wheel and tire manufacturer had Godzilla manning its booth. We were determined to see all the different variations, and did our best to photograph everyone we came across. We’ve assembled our ten favorite GT-Rs, and put together a huge gallery of all the GT-Rs at this year’s SEMA show.

Via: Autoblog (Aftermarket)

SEMA 2008: Knight XV armored SUV lets you take your undergound lair with you

 Knight KV Armored Vehicle


Via: Autoblog (Aftermarket)

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