Jason Heffner Builds a Performance Lamborghini Gallardo

Jason Heffner is in the business of building fast cars. We're talking about quadruple digit horsepower, spinning the tires at 100 mph and pulling-away-from-a-Bugatti-Veyron fast cars. You might remember watching a Heffner-powered twin-turbo Ford GT that could hit 222 mph in the standing mile. His latest project is this twin-turbo Lamborghini that's putting down 930 horsepower and 762 lb-ft torque at the wheels. This particular owner also wanted to cut some weight, and added a carbon fiber deck lid and rear diffuser, race seats, and lightweight wheels. Follow the jump to see the extensive upgrade list, or check out the photos below.

Source: Tuning News

Infiniti G37S Spotted at Pebble Beach

This weekend is of course the big Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California, and a number of automakers will be on hand to debut vehicles there. Infiniti is one of them and will be showing off a few new models on the green fields of Pebble Beach, one of which is this, the G37S. What you see is not much different than the G35 out in dealers now, the difference is a few exterior tweaks including new wheels. What is different is that Infiniti's G sedan will get the same mechanical hardware found in the G37 Coupe. That means the superlative VQ-series 3.7L V6 producing 328 horsepower will be standard equipment, which necessitates the change in nomenclature for the 2009 model year from G35 to G37. Transmissions will include a 6-speed manual or Infiniti's new 7-speed automatic, and the brand is also offering a new optional brake package that adds 4-piston front/2-piston rear brakes and larger rotors. Those wheels are the new 18-inch wheel design with standard Scratch Shield self-healing paint. Infiniti will show more this weekend than just the G37S, including the G37 convertible and G37x.

Source: Auto Blog

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Today General Motors unveiled the final production version of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, a true American sports car that has been anticipated by Chevrolet fans now for years, since the last generation Chevrolet Camaro was killed in 2000.

The production 2010 Camaro differs little from the preproduction versions that have been shown for several months now, but small details on the Camaro such as a new retro interior decked out in brushed metal (plastic brushed metal?) trim complete the package. Whetting appetites since 2006 with the Chevrolet Camaro concept, GM has remained remarkably faithful to the original concept car. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS tops the model range, and will be a true muscle car.

Ailing US-based GM is in need of a true sports car hit that is affordable to the masses, just as Chevrolet pulled off with the original Camaro pony car in 1967. Does the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro have the potential to turn around a Chevy brand that, save for the Corvette, has been mostly in the dumps for several years now? As the once-untouchable Chevrolet mark continues to bleed sales to Japanese, European and Korean automakers, the Camaro has the potential to bring excitement back into Chevrolet showrooms.

Look for elements of the Camaro's styling and especially the attractive retro-styled interior to filter their way into Chevrolet's other models. The 2010 Camaro is the American sports car the Holden-derived Pontiac GTO should have been.

Time will tell if the Camaro has the punch to turn Chevrolet's luck around, but having a well-styled and high performance true American sports car that is relatively affordable back in the lineup can't hurt things.

Source: RSportsCars

2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupé Aerokit

Porsche has developed a special Aerokit for the 911 Turbo Coupé. It includes a front spoiler lip and an entirely new engine cover design with fixed aerofoil.

The characteristic front lip and the distinctive rear spoiler lend the typical turbo silhouette an even more dynamic appearance. The Porsche development center engineers in Weissach attached the greatest possible importance to aerodynamic functionality. The most important objective among the components refined in the wind tunnel was to improve the handling characteristics, given an unchanged drag coefficient of 0.31 compared with the production version.

This ensures that the Aerokit’s optimized streamlining blends ideally with the 490 PS high performance Coupé’s harmonious overall design and enabled further reductions of the lift coefficients on the front and rear axles. This ensures an even more stable drive at high speed. The aerodynamically coordinated front and rear components may only be fitted together. Compared with the standard 900 Turbo, the door sill trim and the rear skirt are painted in body color as well as the Aerokit’s add-on parts.

The Aerokit costs 4,500 euros (excluding VAT) when ordered at the same time as purchasing a new vehicle from Porsche Exclusive in Germany. If the parts are retrofitted, they can be purchased from Porsche Tequipment at a cost of 4,100 euros (excluding painting and assembly as well as VAT). The Aerokit is available with immediate effect worldwide.

Source: Tuning News

Mazda Kazamai Concept to Premiere at Moscow International Automobile Salon 2008

Mazda will unveil a sporty, compact crossover concept vehicle, Mazda Kazamai, at the Moscow International Automobile Salon (MIAS) on August 26. Kazamai, which means “swirling crosswinds” in Japanese, expresses the powerful yet nimble image of a stylish and compact crossover. The concept is based on Mazda’s long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, which aims to provide a unique balance between sporty driving fun and superior environmental and safety performance. Kazamai will be joined at MIAS by the Russian debut of Mazda’s CX-9 SUV, which was crowned 2008 North American Truck of the Year in February.

The Kazamai concept further evolves Mazda’s ‘Nagare’ design language by fusing Nagare’s ‘flow’ design cues with aerodynamic proportions. The design features panel lines inspired by crosswinds in nature which evoke visual lightness. Its bold five-point grille, accentuated front wheel arches and sleek roof line, combined with large 22-inch wheels, lend it high emotional appeal.

Sporty to look at, Kazamai is meant to be spirited and fun to drive, with compact dimensions. Kazamai’s four-wheel drive powertrain will consist of a next-generation direct injection engine and a newly developed transmission. It is also aerodynamic, with an evolved lightweight body structure and enhanced the vehicle safety attributes. Were it to be built, Mazda’s latest show car would deliver exciting driving dynamics, frugal fuel consumption and greatly reduced CO2 emissions.

The Mazda Kazamai promises to be another ground-breaking show car from Mazda Design, winner of this year’s Grand Prix du Design in Paris. Created especially for the Moscow International Automobile Salon, it gives a good indication of where Mazda is going with a possible future compact crossover. And in Russia’s growing automotive market, compact SUVs are the second-largest segment, representing about 13 percent of all new car sales.

Source: Tuning News

The New Distinctive, Mid-engined, 2+2 Sportscar from Lotus: Lotus Project Eagle

Eagerly anticipated and making its official global debut at the British Motorshow in London on July 22nd, the first all-new car from Lotus since the iconic Elise in 1995, will enter the sportscar market as the only mid-engined 2+2 in production.

The new car, which is known only by its project name 'Eagle', is a more holistic offering than the Elise and Exige models that have been so massively popular with track day enthusiasts. The car, the name for which will be announced at the British Motorshow on 22nd July at an 11:30 press conference, is designed for people who desire exotic sportscar characteristics of stunning design, exclusivity, dramatic proportions and performance. Project Eagle also offers real-world usability and a unique sense of occasion.

Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 producing 280 PS, the new car employs innovative lightweight chassis technology to ensure visceral all-round dynamic performance, in keeping with the great Lotus tradition. Even in the very early stages of development testing, Lotus ride and handling engineers report that it is considerably faster around the famously demanding Nurburgring circuit than the Elise and more stable at speed than the Exige.

Inside, Project Eagle cocoons occupants with a sumptuous leather surfaces juxtaposed with contemporary high-tech features. With driver focused instrumentation the driver sits in cockpit-esque surroundings. A beautifully appointed dash boasts tactile details such as flush-mounted controls that glow with blue LED haloes and a stylised speedometer and rev counter ensuring that controls are both attractive and accessible.

Styled in-house by Lotus Design, the Project Eagle's sleek, sophisticated and attention-snaring lines brilliantly disguise its ability to accommodate passengers in the rear of the cabin, giving the car the external characteristics of a small, nimble sportscar whilst belying its internal space. As well as being sold in a 2+2 configuration, the car will also be available as a purely two-seater, the space in the rear being allocated to luggage storage. Other derivatives are also planned for the future, including a convertible and an ultra-high performance version.

Deliveries of Project Eagle will begin in Spring 2009, and with only 2000 of the hand crafted cars planned each year, this exclusive and unique car is creating a real stir with celebrity enthusiasts around the world. Hollywood actor and car enthusiast Patrick Dempsey is just one of the high profile collectors who are on the waiting list for a test drive.

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc, had this to say about the new model: "Project Eagle is the biggest milestone Lotus has achieved since the Elise was born 13 years ago. We are currently working at broadening the appeal of the Lotus brand through an aggressive 5-year model plan of which this car represents the first exciting step."

Source: Tuning News

Rolls Royce Silver... Bullitt with 1040 Hp Hemi V8

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that this kitschy Silver Shadow isn’t your typical chauffeur driven Rolls Royce. The custom made limo is equipped with a 592 Hemi V8 that with the help of a dual stage nitrous system pumps out a mouthwatering 1040Hp. Leaving aside the pimp-my-Impala steering wheel, another interesting detail is the roll cage that’s wrapped around with leather and contrast stitching.