SpeedART Outlines SP91-R Program for 2012 Porsche 911 Ahead of Geneva

The upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March will see Porsche tuning specialist SpeedART unleash a slew of styling and performance goods for the 991 Carrera and Carrera S models branded under the SP91-R nameplate.

SpeedART is giving us our second look at the SP91-R package for the 2012 Porsche 911 after the release of a teaser image back in September while also providing more details on the components that will go on sale later this year.

For the exterior of the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S models, the German tuner has prepared a variety of aero parts including a new CS rear wing and a front lip spoiler. At the Geneva Show, SpeedART will also show a more aggressive looking wide body kit.

Alloy wheel options include a new design with black spokes and a silver rim in sizes 20- and 21-inches.

Inside, SpeedART says it will offer numerous materials and colours for the seats, door panels and dashboard, as well as a sport steering wheel with F1-style shift paddles.

On the performance front, the SP91-R package will include different levels of power upgrades for both the 991 Carrera and Carrera S starting from a custom sport exhaust system with sport-catalysts and manifolds (optionally combined with a sound switch function) and an ECU remap, which alone adds 25HP and 20Nm of peak torque.

In addition, the German tuner has developed sports suspension kits for steer or track use and an airlift suspension system to help the 911 overcome obstacles on the road like speed bumps and parking ramps.

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Cadillac gives Regular 2012 CTS Models the "V" Touch with New Touring Package

Taking a page from its German rivals in the premium segment, Cadillac is now offering some of the performance and styling elements of its flagship V-series on the standard 2012 CTS models with a new Touring Package that is offered on the V6-powered versions of the Sedan, Coupe and Sport Wagon models.

The Touring package for the 2012 CTS borrows several features from the V-series models including the front Recaro sport seats, microfiber suede inserts on the seats and steering wheel, a sports-tuned suspension and performance wheel options.

“One of the best aspects of high-performance machines like the V-Series is that they bring new elements into the brand that enrich the rest of the breed,” said Cadillac Vice President of Marketing Don Butler. “The new Touring Packages give CTS buyers access to some desirable V-Series elements, in a more-approachable format.”

The Touring Package for the 270HP 3.0-liter V6 CTS carries an MSRP of $2,065 and adds 18-inch pearl nickel finish wheels, dual tailpipe, dark finish grille, HID headlamps and fog lamps, V-Series aerodynamic center high mounted stop lamp (sans the Sport Wagon), suede seat inserts, steering wheel and shifter, midnight Sapele wood trim and metal pedals.

For the 318HP 3.6-liter V6 models, the Touring Package retails a bit higher at $2,810 as it swaps the 18-inch alloys for larger 19-inch polished wheels with either summer or all season tires.

In addition to the introduction of the Touring Package, the 2012MY CTS gains standard Bluetooth connectivity across the range plus optional RainSense Wipers and Side Blind Zone Alert (Coupe) along with three new colors - Opulent Blue Metallic; Black Diamond Tri-Coat and Mocha Steel Metallic.

Pricing for the 2012 CTS including destination charges starts at $36,790 for the Sedan, $39,590 for the Coupe and $39,890 for the Sport Wagon.

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Citroën goes Artsy with DS5 Cinemagraphs

If you are into photography, then you've probably heard cinemagraphs. If not, then please allow us a moment to explain.

Cinemgraphs images that contain live items themselves. They are created by combining a series of photographs or video images to a result an animated GIF in a still image which a minor animation loop occurs.

In the case of Citroën UK arm of French automaker automotive manager and photographer James Lipman Chalk agency creative design to produce a series of cinemagraphs to introduce the new DS5, inside and out.

Coincidentally, this is the first official images of the right-hand drive version of the DS5.

Citroen is the third new addition to DS-badged crossoverish French brand after the DS3 and DS4 series and is among the C4 segment C and D models C5 segment. This is the first model based on the diesel-electric Citroën PSA HYbrid4 technology with a clever game that allows a forward and a rear wheel drive or four wheel drive.

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Jaguar's Micro-Turbine-Powered C-X75 Supercar Concept

To celebrate the big 7-5, Jaguar has rolled out its XJ220-inspired 780-horsepower C-X75 RE-EV (range-extended electric vehicle) concept. Power for this looker is supplied by electric motors working in conjunction with "micro gas-turbines", which also throw in 1180 lb-ft / 1,600 Nm of torque. Jaguar claims the 6-hour-to-charge plug-in sports car has a range of 560 / 900 km miles and an Lithium-ion-only range of 68 miles with a "potential top speed" of 205 mph (330 km/h).

The four 195-horse / 145 kW electric motors are mounted at the corners (one at each wheel) and provide torque vectoring, while the turbines - which can charge the batteries or add 188 horsepower in Track mode - are located centrally in a Texalium-lined compartment. Cooling for the turbines comes from the design of the car itself, which uses integrated channels to move air to the necessary areas.

Inside the car, people will find all the sport-lux essentials: leather, neoprene, soft-touch materials, polished and vapor-blasted aluminum, and seats mounted directly to the bulkhead "as in a single-seater racing car".

Then how does someone get into a comfortable driving position? Glad you asked; all the driver's essentials (steering wheel, gauges, etc.) move forward and then slide back for simplified ingress/egress through the out-and-up doors.

Taking a note from Saab and Spyker, there are a few aeronautical touches throughout the cabin a well. Examples include the gear shifter, a trick switch in the overhead panel that starts the car, and a "stealth" setting that reduces ambient lighting when in track mode.

Also found on the concept is "dramatic theater lighting" which lights up various areas of the car when the key fob is detected nearby, as well as certain interior areas (like the Bowers & Wilkins speakers) when the car is turned on.

Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth says, "Performance through innovation has always been a Jaguar hallmark. From the beginning, cars such as the C-Type and D-Type pioneered aluminum construction, aerodynamic design, racing monocoques and disc brakes. The C-X75 demonstrates that the company is still leading the field in automotive design and technology."

By Phil Alex

 



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