This may be the first time that you’ve heard about the Berlin based tuning firm XTR Carchip, but after taking a look at this wide body super sport Porsche Cayman X-Wide, XTR is a name that you won’t soon forget. Built on top of a Cayman S platform, XTR reworked almost every square inch of sheet metal in order to create the track ready machine wearing a set of gold BBS racing rims measuring 18 inches in diameter and shod with sticky Pirelli rubber that lays before you. Complete with a detachable carbon fiber reinforced plastic front splitter for more civilized use and a full jungle gym surrounding a pair of GT3 spec Recaro buckets and matching four point Scroth racing harnesses making it the ideal track day toy.

Although the X-Wide looks like it is a purpose built fire breathing beast, the mid engine flat six remains a bit tame and only benefits from a Super Sprint Magnum cat back exhaust and a slight ECU retune that brings the wide body Cayman’s maximum output up to 310 HP, raising the car’s top speed to 177 MPH. However this is just the beginning, because XTR is also working on a twin turbocharged version that will produce upwards of 850 HP. So it would appear that the X-Wide is simply a test mule for XTR Carchip’s future plans, and boy do they seem big.

Porsche Cayman X-Wide by XTR Carchip originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 18:00 EST.

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As you may already know, the Lexus LF-A is Toyota’s all new purpose built super car with a planned production run of only 500 units, each priced at around $375,000. The LF-A is powered by a 4.8 liter V10 that delivers a maximum output of 560 HP at an astonishing 9,000 RPM and is able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 202 MPH. Luckily enough the folks at Mobil 1 managed to snag one of the Japanese automaker’s representatives to do a brief walk around at this year’s SEMA Show. Although this is the same blonde guy who was telling us about the car’s front mount intercooler he did manage to do a decent job describing the LF-A, however if you want to see a bit more professional recanting then check out racing driver Justin Bell’s recap of the new super car from Jay Leno’s garage.

Video: Lexus LF-A explained at SEMA originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 17:00 EST.

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In their perpetual game of one-upsmanship, Toyota has been rumoured to come out with a car that would rival Honda’s new CR-Z hybrid sports coupe.

While nothing yet has been confirmed by Toyota, Japan’s Best Car magazine has nevertheless taken its own spin on the matter, releasing a photo of what it says could be the Toyota MR-S – the long rumoured hybrid successor of the MR2.

We’re not exactly fluent in Nihonggo so we’ll just have to make do with an artist’s rendering of what the MR-S could potentially look like, and judging from the image, it looks like the ‘supposed’ MR-S – with those oh-so-groovy yellow green rims – has taken the reins from the CR-Z in the sportier-looking department.

Now, all of this may end up being just a rumor since Toyota already has a sports coupe that’s set to go out on the market soon in the FT-86, but then again, speculation is always fun, especially when it comes to the ‘what-you-can-do-I-can-do-better’ game Toyota and Honda have been having for quite some time.

Hybrid Toyota MR-2 in the works? originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 15:30 EST.

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The German tuning firm Cargraphic isn’t finished celebrating just yet. In an attempt at updating a classic super car with a new set of wheels, the legentary Ferrari 512 TR from the early ’90s can now continue to roll on into the 21st century with a fresh set of mesh 19 inch wheels that would have made Sonny Crockett jealous. Cargraphic guarantees that their new forged wheels will stand up to the thrashing induced by a high revving 390 HP V12 while the new slender spokes work nicely with the Testa Rossa’s thin slats that make up the classic super car’s wild air intakes. The simple addition of a new set of wheels will go a long way towards updating the Ferrari’s iconic 1980s aerodynamic wedge shaped design.

Press release after the jump.

Ferrari 512 TR/M gets Cargraphic wheels originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 15:15 EST.

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Celebrating their 20th anniversary as well as the BMW 3 Series convertible reaching the double decade mark, the German tuning firm Cargraphic is releasing a set of special edition 20 inch alloy wheels for the high revving V8 powered BMW M3 convertible. Cargraphic is offering the light weight three piece racing wheel with the classic mesh design and because BMW owners can be a bit more picky than other automotive enthusiasts, Cargraphic also offers the option of milling the wheel from a solid blank, a lengthy process that takes about an hour and a half per wheel and saves about five pounds at each corner over more traditional machining methods.

Press release after the jump.

BMW M3 by Cargraphic originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 15:00 EST.

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We thought we left the witch-hunting back centuries ago, but as it turns out, in Germany, a whole new form of burning-at-the-stake is taking place. A group of protestors from Berlin that support leftist organizations in the German capital have taken their whole approach of getting noticed to a new level, and they’re doing it by burning down luxury cars.

Yes, this is the 21st century and apparently, hooligans still do exist. More than 200 cars have been reported to being burned by these people, most of which include local luxury brands like Mercedes, BMW, and Volkswagen. They burn these cars in an attempt to send a message that the growing increase in rent due to the ongoing urban development in the city isn’t sitting too well with the blue-collar folks that can’t keep up with the gentrification of their city. So, in an attempt to get their points across; they burn down any luxury car that is unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of their wrath.

Making things worse is that they’d leave a note after the poor car has been burned to a crisp, even claiming responsibility for their fiery rage. So, if you’re in Berlin with a brand-new luxury vehicle, make sure you keep a close eye on it, especially during weekend nights, before it gets toasted – literally.

Berlin protestors resort to burning luxury cars originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 14:30 EST.

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The Japanese automaker Lexus has just announced prices for their 2010 LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan. The green luxury limousine will go on sale later this month starting at $108,800. While most hybrids are all about efficiency, Lexus is trying to justify V12 pricing for their flagship model and are backing up their claims with a 5.0 Liter gas burning V8 and a powerful electric motor to produce a maximum output of 439 HP with four less pistons than the competition.

Next year’s LS 600h L will feature a few revisions to the front grille with a new unique design, fresh 19 inch alloy wheels and blue tinted taillights. On the inside the luxury hybrid LS also benefits from advanced front active headrests to prevent whiplash and standard Intuitive Park Assist with Advance Parking Guidance so that owners will never have to worry about parallel parking themselves again. The Lexus LS 600h offers everything that you could ever want in a luxury vehicle and at the same time allows you to take advantage of a hybrid tax credit.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Lexus LS 600h L prices announced originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 14:00 EST.

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Still high on the success of their Passat based Comfort Coupe, the German automaker Volkswagen is playing around with the design of their classic hatchback to incorporate a Golf sized compact four door into the lineup. If it ever does come to fruition, you can expect the Golf CC to start showing up only two years after the after the seventh generation hatchback arrives in showrooms, something that is slated for 2012. On paper the 2014 Golf CC will technically be a saloon due to its four door layout, but to the eye the CC’s signature coupe like profile will its arched roofline and tapering rear window will make it appear to be a much sportier ride. The Golf’s theme of practicality will continue on the inside thanks to space conscious folding rear seats to maximize usability and at the same time the interior of the smaller Comfort Coupe promises to be a bit more luxurious than the standard hatchback.

Volkswagen Golf CC coming in 2014 originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 13:30 EST.

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If you thought that the Devon GTX was the only low production hand made American super car setting records then you might want look under the M section of your automotive dictionary. That is because the Riviera Beach based Mosler Automotive company has been making mid engine race cars around the best V8s that Chevrolet has to offer and then also sells them as street cars.

One thing that every Mosler has been built to do since 1993 is go around a track as quickly as possible, and the U.K. Racing Team is preparing a very special Mosler MT900 in order to do just that, except the circuit they are going to is like none other in the world. That is because Italy’s Nardo Ring is a high speed test track consisting of a 7.8 mile long banked circle sitting on the heel of the nation’s boot. The U.K. based technicians have already begun preparations by ensuring that they will be able to get the required 1000 HP from a 427 cubic inch LS7 borrowed from the Corvette Z06. The next step is to get the car and driver (Michelangelo Larosa) package as close to 1000 pounds as possible, however aerodynamics might play a bigger role than they think to best the special edition Mercedes C111’s 403.978 km/h record set back in 1979. However we are still waiting for the date.

Special Mosler MT900 intends to set a new speed record at the Nardo Ring originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 13:00 EST.

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Ever since Peter Schreyer – a former designer for Volkswagen and Audi – jumped on the Kia bandwagon to become its new design chief, the aesthetic quality of Kia cars have, to say the least, bumped up into the ranks of the ‘that’s actually a pretty classy-looking ride’ category.

Coincidence or not, you still have to give credit where it’s due and Schreyer has to receive – even if it sounds obligatory – some props for what he’s done to Kia. By taking some styling cues from his previous employers, Schreyer has turned cars like the mid-sized 2011 Cadenza sedan into something worthy of a positive double-take.

While there are still other qualifications we should judge the 2011 Cadenza on – handling and price tag come to mind – we can all take comfort knowing that Kia’s newest mid-sized sedan can hold its own in the aesthetic department against other more high-profile brands in the same class.

If you still need some further convincing on the design merits of the car, take a look at these promo videos and judge for yourself. It may not generate an overwhelmingly positive response but given it’s track record – which is, to say the least, average – the 2011 Cadenza looks like a Thanksgiving Day touchdown.

More videos after the jump.

Video: Previewing the 2011 Kia Cadenza originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 12:00 EST.

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As it comes from the factory, the Mercedes Benz ML63 AMG is one of the most powerful SUVs on the market today. However if you appetite can’t be satiated by Mercedes in house tuners, then the aftermarket modification specialists at VATH might have something that is of great interest to you, an all new performance package that not only adds a few horsepower to the ML Class, but also balance out all aspects of the ML as well.

Not ones to worry about getting their hands dirty, VATH’s team of mechanics will pull the heads so that their machinists can open up the air passages with a port and polish before they recut the valve seats so that not only will they be able to flow more air but so that the new oversized intake and exhaust valves will be able to keep the power producing explosion inside the combustion chamber even better contained. With the addition of performance camshafts, the entire package will bump the hand built 6.2 Liter V8s output up to 585 HP, 75 HP over stock. The result of the enhancements is an SUV that can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in only 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 MPH. On the outside, VATH’s adds a new rear spoiler to help keep the SUV stable at speed. The ML now rides on a set of three piece light weight alloy rims measuring 22 inches in diameter that house a high performance braking system and hide the upgraded suspension from gazing onlookers. The price for all this high performance hardware is €17,850; which is not bad considering the amount you already dropped on an AMG tuned SUV.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG by VATH originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 11:00 EST.

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The next Mercedes Benz tuner of the day, after Brabus showed off what they can do with the new E Class, MEC Design has released a few renderings of their new appearance package for Benz’s new super car, the SLS AMG. While this kit is a bit wilder that the more conservative sketches that we are used to seeing from other aftermarket specialists like Lorinser, it would be hard to deny that it is interesting to say the least.

Instead of accentuating the 21st century gull wing’s protruding pontoon fenders, MEC has flattened out the body lines and given the SLS more of a tuner style front end. The redesign starts off with an oversized big mouth front bumper, continues with a set of oversized side skirts and a set of stylish Mextremell rims measuring 22 inches in diameter. Although you can’t see it too well from this angle, MEC also has plans for a new rear spoiler and a high performance exhaust system. On the inside, MEC promises wrap the interior with a mix of luxurious leather and butt hugging Alcantara as well as a few carbon fiber inserts and a sport steering wheel. No matter what you opinion may be about this radical restyling it is hard to deny how good the front mount looks peeking through that front bumper.

Mercedes SLS AMG by MEC Design originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 10:00 EST.

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Wimmer RS tuning will come at Essen Motor Show with the GT2 Speed program program for the Porsche GT2 sports car. The price for the car, and the kit is 281,000.00 euro.

Thanks to the modifications made to the engine block, pistons, piston rods, injection nozzles, sports camshafts, inlet system, throttle valve and the installation of an intercooler, the GT2 Speed Bi-Turbo delivers a total of 827hp at 7,400rpm and 948Nm of torque.

Translated into car’s performances this means a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.38 seconds, in 8,54 seconds in hit the 124 mph mark, an in 20.2 second goes to an incredible 186 mph. The car will stop at a top speed of 234 mph.

The car sits on 20" Sportec rims, and has been optimized with carbon exterior rear-view mirrors and a carbon rear spoiler lip.

Porsche GT2 Speed Bi-Turbo by Wimmer RS originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 09:25 EST.

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When it comes about Ferrari many people are against any kind of customization, but the tuner Wimmer RS made quite an impressive job and even they have made a few modifications, they managed to keep the car’s personality. The result will be presented at the Essen Moor Show.

Wimmer added a new engine control software and new sport valve exhaust system. As a result the engine’s output has been increased with 38hp. Translated into performances, this means a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.84 seconds, to 124 mph in 11.03 seconds and to 186 mph in 34,9 seconds. Top speed is also increased to 193 mph.

The kit also includes a new KW HLS system that helps to adjust the car’s height by up to to 45 mm on the front axle. The Wimmer Scuderia sits on 19” BBS FI black alloy rims.

Press release after the jump.

Ferrari F430 Scuderia by Wimmer RS originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 08:36 EST.

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Ferrari’s quest for global (retail) domination is getting stronger and stronger by the day after the Pranching Horse recently conquered yet another country. And while they should never be confused as Starbucks, Ferrari’s ever-growing retail shopping chains does look like its expanding faster than that Green Mermaid.

The latest country to open an official Ferrari store is Athens, Greece, joining a laundry list of high-profile cities all over the world that have also recently been introduced to the Scuderia, including Milan, Venice, Rome, London, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Miami, Barcelona, Macau, the mega store in Dubai, and the highly-anticipated Ferrari World Theme Park in Abu Dhabi.

And if you think they’re done, guess again. The global expansion of the Ferrari Store, at least according to some sources within the company, is far from over. The car brand is still looking at the potential of other cities in Europe, North America, and Asia to have their own official retail store with Ferrari setting aside a target of opening around 50 stores in the coming years.

As one of the most recognizable brands anywhere in the world, the appeal of a Ferrari store near your block should not go understated. Now, if only their price tags were a little bit on the wallet-friendly side, then that would make the whole thrill of going inside a store much more worth it.

Ferrari opens new store in Greece originally appeared on ures.topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 08:00 EST.

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