Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Receives Power Boost by Wimmer RS

When it comes to German tuners, the name of the game is power. The more the merrier. In its latest take on the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Wimmer RS has presented the Level 3 performance kit, which increases the 6.3-liter V8 engine's output to 580-horsepower and 690 Nm (509 lb-ft), up from 457 HP and 600 Nm.

To bestow over 120 HP on top of the already potent naturally aspirated V8, Wimmer RS made a series of upgrades including the addition of a reprogrammed ECU, air filter from K&N, air induction optimization, a new sports catalyst and optimized cat-back all-stainless steel exhaust system.

The tuner also fiddled around with the the electronic speed limiter allowing the C63 AMG to reach a limited top speed of 305 km/h or 190 mph.

As an option, Wimmer RS offers a KW-Club Sport Suspension and high performance Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tires.

The cost of the full performance level 3 kit is set at €9,900 (about US$13,800 at today's rates) including installation.

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Audi A1 Project Car by HS Motorsport

Bavarian tuner HS Motorsport has teamed up with Autohaus Kempen and various other aftermarket specialists to create the Audi A1 project car, which features exterior modifications, upgraded suspension and some interior appointments as well.

CFC Styling Station was in charge of the custom paintjob, an "effect-rich silver finish" combined with a black stripe that runs from the front grille to the end of the roof. The rear bumper has been modified in order to incorporate a Golf R32-style two-pipe exhaust system, specially conceived by Fox Sport Exhaust Systems for this project.

To improve handling, engineers at H&R developed a new lowered coilover suspension system (-55 mm at the front and -60 mm at the back).

No tuned car is complete without a nice set of alloy wheels. HS Motorsport offers two different designs, the ASA GT1 in a black matte finish with silver accents, and the "edgier" ASA GT2 in anthracite, both measuring 18-inches. Vredestein and Hankook provide the 215/35 R18 tires. Buyers can also opt for a more powerful braking system from Brembo.

The project car's 122 hp (91 kW) 1.4-liter TSI engine was left untouched, but the German tuner can accommodate power-hungry customers by installing a power kit that increases output to 147 hp (110 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque.

Inside, there are two-tone Recaro Sportster CS seats and an optional Alpine sound system.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: Captiva Driver Shows Tow Truck Who’s Boss

Who wouldn't be annoyed to find, upon returning from the shops, that their car has been ticketed, clamped...or even worse...towed. As this hilarious clip proves, Hell hath no fury like a female SUV driver towed. Full video after the jump.

Here's the scoop for those who haven't seen it: a Shanghai woman is having her Chevy Captiva SUV towed, and she isn't happy about it. So she does what any (insane) person would do: gets in her car, starts the engine and drives off...with the tow truck still attached.

In a word, this video is epic. We've seen some ballsy things here at Carscoop, but this has to be one of the ballsiest. It's like Gone in 60 Seconds with a Chevy AWD or Jackass with a little Asian woman. Above all else, it's a defiantly erect middle finger directed at the money grubbing instigators of authoritarian traffic control.

I guess the tow truck driver should be thankful this was the only thing the Captiva driver did. I'd hate to see her behind the wheel of a tank, that's for sure. Watch the video and give us your verdict in the comments.

By Tristan Hankins

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Marchionne Says Jeep Grand Cherokee Platform Could be Used on New Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati SUVs

Launched in June, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee has enjoyed a massive success, as sales last month were up 291% compared to October 2009. So it comes to no surprise that Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, is considering the use of the Grand Cherokee's architecture on a variety of new models including Fiat, Maserati and Alfa Romeo SUVs, and possibly for a future Chrysler variant.

"The [Grand Cherokee] architecture has legs. It's important for us to tap all of the hard work that has gone on inside Chrysler on the new Grand Cherokee," said Marchionne during a conference call on the Chrysler Group's Q3 financial results. "It has a level of solidity and resilience that we have underestimated."

Marchionne added that the Grand Cherokee's platform, which was developed with Chrysler's former partner Mercedes-Benz, is capable of handling more powerful engines.

If a decision were to be made, all versions of these SUVs could enter the market as early as 2012 with production to most likely take place at the Jefferson North plant, which already runs two shifts, but can easily accommodate a third should the need arise.

The Detroit plant is an obvious choice as it has shown critical progress in the quality of assembly. "I'm delighted with the performance of the Jefferson plant here in Michigan" Mr. Marchionne added.

The same plant is also used for the trial production of the 2011 Dodge Durango, which is also based on the new Grand Cherokee and is scheduled to go on sale next month.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Detroit News & Automonews

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Bigger is Better: Mitsubishi's US-Spec Wide-Bodied i-MiEV Revealed Ahead of LA Show

These are the first official photos of the North American version of Mitsubishi's i-MiEV all-electric city, which will have its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, to be held from Wednesday, November 17 to Sunday November 28.

Even though big ideas can come in small packages, for most things in America, consumers believe that "bigger is better" and "better is bigger". And seeing what happened with Mercedes-Benz and its Smart Fortwo mini, Mitsubishi decided to "fatten-up" the North American version of the i-MiEV, and make it bigger than its Japanese- and European-spec counterparts.

"[The i-MiEV] features an enhanced, enlarged body structure to secure plenty of space for four adults and better meet the expectations of U.S. consumers," said Mitsubishi in a statement.

With this and that, the wider and longer US-Spec i-MiEV measures 3,680 mm / 144.9" (+258mm or +9.8") in length, 1,585 mm / 62.4" (+110mm or +4.3") in width, 1,615 mm / 63.6" (+5mm or +0.2") in height.

In addition to the larger frame, the North American-spec i-MiEV gets a new set of front and rear bumpers as well as some interior changes.

Mitsubishi has not yet released details on the U.S. model's electric-drivetrain. The smaller JDM version of the plug-in EV is powered by an electric motor with 64HP (47kW) and 180Nm (132.8-lbs/ft) of maximum torque, driving the rear wheels. A full charge of the lithium-ion batteries is said to offer a driving range of up to 100 miles or 160 km.

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Gillet Vertigo.5 Spirit: Belgian Supercar with 420HP Maserati V8

One of the most eccentric and less known supercars in the market, the Gillet Vertigo, which was created by former Belgian racing driver Tony Gillet, has ditched its predecessors' 3.0-liter Alfa Romeo V6, rated at 350 hp, in favor of a more powerful 4.2-liter Maserati V8 with 420-horsepower. The new model is named the Vertigo.5 Spirit.

Official performance figures are non-existent for the time being, but the less potent, Alfa Romeo-powered, Vertigo was already a fast piece of machinery. It was 40 kg (88 lbs) heavier, tipping the scales at 990 kg (2,183 lbs), but it could still reach the 60 mph (96 km/h) mark in a mere 3.3 seconds. So, it's a no brainer then: a lighter (950 kg or 2,094 lbs) and more powerful car should be faster.

To keep the weight down exotic materials were used, such as the carbon fiber found in the honeycomb monocoque chassis, which, by the way, weighs only 58 kg (128 lbs).

Power from the Italian V8 is channeled to the rear axle through a six-speed sequential gearbox, The car rides on 19-inch wheels, shod in 225/35 front and 275/35 rear tires. At this level of performance, stopping-power is a must, so Gillet's engineers took no chances fitting 300 mm AP ventilated disks all around.

The company states that the Vertigo.5 is a "100% personal supercar", meaning that each client can customize the car to their own individual needs, from interior amenities to chassis setup. Gillet hasn't announced prices yet, but the Vertigo cost US$265,000 (€190,593), so expect to pay a bit more for the Spirit.

By Csaba Daradics

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New Video of BMW's Vision ED Prototype Sports Car

At the end of last week, BMW informed us that its Vision EfficientDynamics [ED] green sports car concept would become a reality and be available for sale as early as 2013. Along with the announcement and the release of new photographic material, the Bavarian automaker also published a fresh video featuring an early prototype version of the diesel-electric-powered Vision ED. To watch the new promotional film, hit the jump below.

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