Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Hofele-Design Turns the Audi Q7 Facelift Into the STRATOR GT 780


We don't know if anyone would actually refer to their Audi Q7 as the "STRATOR GT 780" after Hofele-Design transforms the facelift version of Ingolstadt's full-size luxury SUV, but in any case, that's the name given to the tune by the German-based shop.

The aesthetic treatment encompasses a new front bumper with larger intakes and four additional lamps on the corners, front and rear wheel-arch extensions with matching side skirts, a roof spoiler, front fender air vents, and a wide rear apron with a diffuser.

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Jeep CEO Rules Out Italian-Built Small SUV Being a Rebadged Fiat, Still Undecided on Names


Platform sharing is a very common, and very cost-effective, practice these days. Company executives, however, fret when someone names their vehicle a “rebadge”, “re-skin” or something akin to that no matter how many parts it may actually share with a sister brand’s model.

Jeep President and CEO Mike Manley is one of those execs, despite the fact that the Fiat-Chrysler tie-up is mostly about sharing platforms, parts and expertise and minimizing costs and they practice it even at the group's luxury cars.

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Ghostly Foam Car Flabbergasts Aussie Cops in Queensland


A group of people including two police officers and onlookers who were standing in the middle of a road in the tourist resort township of Mooloolaba in Queensland, Australia, were caught off guard when what the originally thought was a wave of sea foam turned out to be a car in a…frothy disguise!

The surprise-ending footage was captured by Michel Bell who visited the area with his sister to watch the impressive natural phenomenon caused by a tropical cyclone in the area.

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Spy Shots: Meet the All-new Audi S3 Convertible with a Sleeker Booty, Four Seats and 296HP


The launch of the new generation of the Audi A3 in three door, five-door "Sportback" and S3 trims over the past year is only the beginning for the brand with the four-ring badge from Ingolstadt, which has more in store for the premium compact segment.

Last week, we shared scoop pictures of Audi's upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA-rivaling A3 four-door sedan, and now, our spy photographers have nabbed the first images of the open top version of the series testing in Europe.

And mind you, this isn't just any A3 Convertible but the range-topping (unless Audi surprises us with an RS edition) S3, as evidenced by the quad exhaust tips and the design of the air-vents on the corners of the front bumper, which are identical to the S3 hatchback.

Unlike the current A3 Convertible that’s shares its platform with the previous hatchback, the new model is based on the upcoming A3 sedan's longer wheelbase MQB architecture, something that will not only help improve rear passenger and luggage space, but also affords the car a sleeker look with more balanced proportions.

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Hamann Extends BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe Customization Offerings to M Pack Models


Do you own a BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe equipped with the Bavarian firm's optional M Sport aerodynamic package and still want to personalize your car's looks with an aftermarket kit?

No problem, says Hamann, which has developed exclusive parts for M-trimmed versions of BMW's so-called "four-door coupe".

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Watch New Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Put its 557HP to Good Use


Mercedes-Benz launched its revised E-Class range at the Detroit Motor Show and its currently rolling out one commercial after another about its new products – even about the CLA that won’t be launched until Geneva.

The first rule in successfully promoting any product is to know who your target group is; whom you are going to sell it to and what they expect. Obviously, the E 63 AMG with its 557HP in standard form and 577HP in S-Model guise is not exactly aimed at those who simply want a premium luxury sedan or station wagon.

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Kia Introduces Spicier Pro_Cee’d GT and Cee’d GT Models with 1.6-liter Turbo


Dubbed the "most performance-focused Kia models yet", the South Korean automaker released pictures and some additional details about its new pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT sport hatchbacks, ahead of their world premiere at the 2013 Geneva motor show in March.

We don't know what Kia's engineers have managed to do with the compact hatchback's uprated chassis, but in terms of performance, the turbocharged 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine producing 204PS (201bhp) and 265 Nm (195lb-ft) of peak torque seems to position the cars below the likes of the current VW Golf GTI.

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