AC Schnitzer Tricks Out the New MINI Cooper Coupé

As usual, it didn't take long for AC Schnitzer to release a slew of upgrades for one of the BMW Group's most recent creations, the new MINI Coupé.

While the German tuning firm is still working on the engine mods, its current offerings include several performance upgrades such as a limited slip differential with locking up to 75 percent for the Cooper S Coupé and a sports rear silencer with chromed tailpipe trim for both the Cooper S and the John Cooper Works Coupé.

There's also a high performance brake system with 4-piston fixed calipers and slotted discs, plus a height-adjustable racing suspension, a stiffer spring kit, an aluminium strut brace and rear antiroll bar for the Cooper Coupé.

All members of the MINI Coupe family can be fitted with AC Schnitzer's new 17-inch Mi 1 silver wheels or 18-inch Mi2 BiColor alloys, as well as a decal set for the exterior and gear knob with digital gear display, aluminium pedal set, foot rests, "Black Line" handbrake handle and velour foot mats for the interior.

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2012 Porsche 911: Techart Turns its Tuning Focus

Even with only a few months under its gear, the adjusting industry has already heated up to the new 991-series 2012 Porsche 911, with the most recent game of changes coming from Techart.

The well known In german adjusting house has offered some simple appearance parts for both the 911 Carrera and Carrera S.

These involve a new set of cast light aluminum tires in styles of 20- or 21-in. that are said to offer a weight advantage of up to 15 percent as opposed to manufacturer tires, new game tailpipes made of finished metal with either square or game tips, and a coordinator of outside reduce parts in as well as fibre or any customized made color.

For the cottage, Techart's current promotions involve a new three-spoke rim and unique exercise shifters, plus a variety of cuts, a entire natural buckskin inside with attractive appears or a diamonds design, and inside features in natural buckskin or alcantara.

The entire program, which may involve efficiency improvements, will be offered at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

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Skoda Roomster MPV Specifications

AFTER the official photos (see archive) , Carscoop managed to get exclusively, the first official information and specifications on Skoda’s all new compact MPV, Roomster, which intends to compete against cars like the Renault Scenic and Opel Zafira.

Premier

Geneva Motor Show March 2006

European sales

August to October 2006 (depending on the country)

Dimensions

Length 4.205 mm ? Height 1.607 mm X Width 1.684 mm

Front leg space

Skoda Roomster 1.026 mm vs Opel Zafira 0.991mm vs Renault Scenic 0.990 mm vs Focus C-Max 1.018 mm

Knee Space front passengers

Skoda Roomster 646 mm vs Opel Zafira 642 mm vs Renault Scenic 615 mm vs Focus C-Max 627 mm

Knee Space rear passengers

Skoda Roomster 790 mm vs Opel Zafira 540 mm vs Renaullt Scenic 340 mm vs Focus C-Max 450 mm

Boot space

460 litres – 1.476 litres (seats folded)

Engine range

1.4 FSI 90 hp (5gear Manual), 1.6 MPI 105hp (5gear Manual & 6gear Auto), 1.4 Tdi 80hp, 1.9 Tdi 105hp

Varioflex System

Rear seats that can be folded 900 -1800 or fully ejected

Rear seats

Offer a “Cinemascope” feeling to the rear passengers a as they are located higher than those in front

Panoramic roof

Glass roof that extends to all the length of the car

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Porsche Boxster + vintage Volkswagen Bug = Bugster

This is a melding of two seemingly very different cars we can get behind. The melding of one car’s running gear and another’s body isn’t a new practice, but so often it turns out terribly. Need an example? Check out the dozens of F-Body Chevrolet Camaro coupes with 4×4 running gear that haunt the depths of the world’s internet forums.

This isn’t a hack job, this is is the sort of hybrid we can throw our enthusiastic support behind. The body started life atop a humble 1973 Volkswagen Beetle chassis, while the running gear saw duty under a 2000Porsche Boxster convertible’s skin. The car was created by Siegfried Rudolf, who owns CarMaxx, an Austrian company that restores and customizes Porsche and Volkswagen cars.

Rudolf apparently got the idea after parking his restored Beetle next to his wife’s Boxster and noted a striking similarity in their wheelbases. After countless hours with a measuring tape, a Sawzall and a welder, Rudolf had the Bugster, a mid-engined 270-horsepower 1973 VW Beetle.

From off, the car looks like a nicely restored, slightly modified Bug. Up close, though, the enormous side vents, 18-inch wheels and Porsche dashboard start to hint at this thing’s dirty little secret. The car sports custom fenders to properly cover its wider track and wheels, and the whole set up rides on a fully-adjustable suspension. Delicious.

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