Abarth Punto Scorpione (Limited Edition)

Abarth Punto Scorpione

The Fiat Group's never-ending streak of special edition models continues with the new Abarth Punto Scorpione that will receive its world premiere alongside the 595 specials at the upcoming 2011 Bologna Motor Show in the beginning of December.

The Abarth Punto Scorpione is based on the esseesse model and is powered by the same 180HP 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir engine. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.5 seconds and its top speed is 216 km/h (134 mph).

However, it comes with several unique cosmetic touches. These include the special exterior paint job with a two-tone Nero Scorpione livery enhanced by special matte black paintwork for the bonnet and roof that encompass glossy black stripes. The Italian hot hatch also gets black alloy wheels and yellow Brembo brake calipers.

Inside, Abart fitted the Punto Scorpione with a set of bucket seats partially trimmed in Alcantara and featuring red and yellow stitching from Sabelt, leather steering wheel, gearbox and instrument panel cover, plus aluminium kick plate, sport pedals and accent trim.

The Italian automaker has also developed a special "Abarth Nitro" winter kit for those who like skiing and which includes 17-inch alloys with winter tires, a snowboard rack with magnetic fastening and a snowboard from the "Nitro powered by Abarth" lineup.
The company said that production of the Abarth Punto Scorpione will be strictly limited to 99 units.

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Range Rover Evoque by Startech (special cars)

Range Rover Evoque by Startech

Making its European debut at this week's Essen Motor Show is the Startech tuning program for the new Range Rover Evoque. Startech, which is a sub-division of the Brabus brand, first revealed its take on the British crossover model at the Dubai International Motor Show earlier this month.

The product lineup includes a new front apron, a roof wing and a rear apron that houses a diffuser and the reshaped quad tail pipes. The crossover model's sportier stance is further enhanced with suspension kit that lowers the ride height by up to 30mm (1.2-inches) and custom-tailored alloy wheels offered in various color combos and 20- or 22-inch diameters.

There's a lot going on inside as Startech's comprehensive program comprises of a sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals, foot rest and shifter, leather upholstery for the seats and door panels, Alcantara trim for the headliner and wood or carbon-fiber trim sets.
Startech said that a performance kit for the 2.0-liter SI4 gasoline engine that normally produces 240-horses is in the final stages of development, while the tuner will introduce a power kit for the diesel engine as well.

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Meadowsa XP8 (Weird Cars)

Meadowsa XP8

Latest find on eBay, called the Meadowsa XP8, is trying to be something of its own.
According to the seller, "this wild and crazy machine is light weight, fast, loud, obnoxious and turns EVERY head while cruising down the road".

The bizarre creation started life as a 1984 Pontiac Fiero, but has since been modified in all sorts of ways with power coming from a mid-mounted 383 cubic inch (6.3-liters) small block Chevy V8 matched to an Isuzu 5 speed gearbox.
The asking price for the Meadowsa XP8 on eBay Motors is an overly optimistic $20,000.

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AC Schnitzer Reveals 2012 BMW 650i Coupe

2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe

Looking to offer enthusiasts more options for customizing the new 2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe, AC Schnitzer will unveil its new tuning program for the 650i at this week's 2011 Essen Motor Show in Germany.
Dubbed the ACS6 5.0i, the package includes a performance upgrade with unspecified modifications for the 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine that help lift output from 407HP to 540-horses.

AC Schnitzer claims that the ACS6 5.0i passes the 100km/h (62mph) yardstick in 4.3 seconds after take-off, compare to the standard model's time of 4.9 seconds.

The tune continues with a lowered sports suspension, a new exhaust system and a beefier brake system with 8-piston calipers.

For the exterior, AC Schnitzer has designed a new front apron, a chromed front grille and matching fender trim pieces, a boot lid spoiler, and a rear apron that incorporates a diffuser. The ACS6 5.0i rides on new lightweight 21-inch wheels that the German tuner says are 30% lighter than the factory 20-inch rims tipping the scales at just 11.5kg (25.3 pounds).

On the inside, AC Schnitzer's package includes a sports steering wheel, aluminum pedals and new trim accents.

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Brabus unveils a 611HP Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster at the Essen Motor Show

611HP Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Mercedes-Benz tuning house, Brabus, has chosen the Essen Motor Show, to reveal its customized Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster.

A performance kit that consists of newly calibrated engine electronics with special mapping for ignition and injection, and a high-performance, titanium exhaust system with four tail pipes that's 40 percent lighter than the factory unit, bumps maximum output from 571HP (563 bhp) to 611HP (600 bhp).

Additional hardware modifications include an adjustable sport suspension from Bilstein that lowers the ride height by up to 40 mm (1.6-inches) at the touch of a button while the driver can also choose between damper settings that offer a more comfortable or sportier ride than the production car.

As an option, Brabus offers a Front Lift System that can raise the front end of the SLS AMG roadster by 50 millimeters (2.0-inches) by pushing a button on the center console in order to navigate over speed bumps or parking garage ramps. The system works at speeds of up to 30km/h (19mph), at which point it reverts to its original position.
The car also rides on more aggressive rubber - 275/30 ZR 20 at the front and 295/25 ZR 21 at the rear - mounted on 21 inch wheels on the front axle and 22 inch in the rear.
In appearance, the SLS AMG Roadster gains a modified version of the carbon-fibre aero-kit that Brabus has previously developed for the gullwing-door coupe. It includes a front spoiler, covers for the upper air-ducts, side skirts with illuminated Brabus logos, side air-vent trim, gas tank cap, a new rear bumper with side air vents and a diffuser, plus a discreet boot lid spoiler.

Brabus offers all the aero components in a high-gloss finish, a matte finish or in any color they want.
The final touch is the reworked interior sporting a different speedometer with a 400-km/h (250-mph) dial, stainless-steel scuff plates with backlit BRABUS logo, matte-anodized pedals and custom upholstery.

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New Volvo C70 Inscription Edition production limited to 2000 Pieces

 Volvo C70

We don't know what plans Volvo has for a successor to the C70 that will be eliminated in 2013 after the company shuts down its Uddevalla plant in Sweden, but for now, the automaker has announced a new special edition version that will debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16th.
The new C70 Inscription Edition combines bespoke exterior details such as the painted grille, black 18-inch wheels and LED daytime running lights surrounded by contrasting chrome, with unique interior features, including Sovereign Hide upholstery, a leather-covered dashboard and aluminium trim.

The limited package can be combined with all the engine options available for the C70 including the petrol and diesel units. Buyers can choose from three exterior colors - Black Stone (Solid), Black Sapphire (Metallic) and Ice White (Solid).
Volvo said production of the new C70 Inscription Edition will be limited to 2,000 units worldwide.

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Special Cars/SchwabenFolia's Weismann Roadster MF5 V10 Black Bat

Weismann Roadster MF5 V10 Black Bat

SchwabenFolia and Dähler are co-partners in the creation of the Wiesmann Roadster MF5 V10 Black Bat.
SchwabenFolia is a car wrapping company based in Korntal-Münchingen, Germany, and is responsible for the Roadster MF5's dark looks.
The company dressed the outer body panels as well as bits from the interior plus the door sills, trunk and engine room in a matte black skin. To showcase its craftsmanship, SchwabenFolia even wrapped the 20-inch BBS alloy wheels in the same shade.
A foiled “imprint” of the Nürburgring's northern loop on the driver's side and the chrome emblems round out the makeover.

In factory spec, the limited production roadster mode is powered by the previous BMW M5's 5.0-liter V10 engine with 507HP. This is where Swiss company Dähler steps in adding a new sportier exhaust system and modified electronics to boost output to 600-horses.
The tuner says that the Black Bat can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.5 seconds, to 200km/j (124mph) in less than 10 seconds and top out at 321km/h (200mph).
To improve braking, Dähler added Brembo 6-piston fixed calipers with 308x32mm discs up front and 4 piston fixed calipers with 380 x 28 discs at the back.
No pricing information has been released yet.
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Special Cars/2013 Volkswagen CC

It's not a full bore re-imagining — more of a face lift, really — but that doesn't make the 2013 Volkswagen CC ($TBA) any less desirable. Details on the refreshed "four-door coupe" are scarce, but we know it will sport new front and rear fascias, Bi-Xenon headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System and LED taillights standard, all of which bring it in line with the updated Jetta and Passat. It should be headed your way next Spring.

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Special Cars/Caterham Superlight R500

Sometimes luxury is superfluous when all you want is speed — and for times like those, the Caterham Superlight R500 (£42,000, roughly $67,000) is the car to have. Packing a ridiculous 263 hp — courtesy of a 2L Caterham Ford Duratec — into a svelte 1,100 lb. package, the R500 screams "race car," with an open cockpit, six-speed gearbox, carbon dash, nose, front, and rear cycle wings, carbon kevlar seats, four-point harnesses, 13-inch black cast aluminum wheels, a Momo steering wheel, and ventilated disc brakes, all of which combine to trim weight, resulting in a 0-60 time of just 2.88 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph.

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Gumpert Tornante

Designed by Touring Superleggera, the Gumpert Tornante ($TBA) is an elegant, 700-HP beast that's being unveiled in Geneva this week. The V8-powered 2-seater is built on a light chrome-molybdenum steel space frame with carbon fiber monocoque chassis, and sports gull-wing doors and a TT40e gearbox with paddle shift control, among other awesomeness.

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Special Cars/Wiesmann GT MF5 Roadster

Mixing a powerful engine and race-ready components with timeless design, the Wiesmann GT MF5 Roadster ($TBA) is a unique drop-top that's sure to turn heads no matter where you drive it. Built atop an Aluminum monocoque chassis, the MF5 features a fiberglass body shell, front- and rear-double wishbone suspension, a mid-mounted TwinScroll Twin Turbo V8 cranking out 555 hp, a 0-62 mph time of just 3.9 seconds and a 19-inch rear wheels that power it to a top speed of 193 mph.

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