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2012 Mercedes Benz ML 63 AMG Spied Sporting Bi-Turbo V8

Mercedes-Benz is working double-time this year. While the standard version of the 2012 Mercedez-Benz M-Class is still being developed the year, the company is already testing the engines of the line’s high performance series.

The standard M-class series is set to be produced for the public by 2011. By the end of that year, 2012’s ML 63 AMG will sport Merc’s newly developed 5.5 liter twin turbo-charged model. The standard version of the M-series runs on a naturally-aspirated 6.2 liter engine.

According the AMG division of Mercedes-Benz, the 5,461cc V8 engine will be used in a variety of the company’s future car models. This engine produces 544 HP and 800Nm in standard form. If that isn’t enough, you can increase these figures to 571 HP and 900Nm with a performance pack upgrade.

There’s no official report yet on the performance of the bi-turbo charged V8 on the ML 63 AMG. Aside from the improved engine, AMG’s take on the new ML will also feature an upgraded suspension system, more powerful and bigger brakes, sturdier tires, and a cosmetic overhaul of both the exterior and the interior aspects of the model.

The standard version of the ML63 currently sports 19-inch wheels and high performance brakes from AMG. Because of its top-of-the-line suspension system on this muscle on wheels, the cornering ability of the 4-wheel drive is also impressive, to say the least.

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Want a Tesla Roadster? Rent one for $1,658 per month!

If you don’t have $109,000 to spend but you want to be behind the wheels of an electric sports car which can run side by side a Porsche or a Ferrari when the light turns green, then why not lease a Tesla Roadster or its pumped up sibling the Roadster Sport?

A 2010 Tesla Roadster or the more aggressive Roadster Sport can be delivered to your garage under a 30,000 mile, 3-year contract, and a monthly fee starting at $1,658. The price might look unappealingly high but you need to remember that this Tesla will cost less to run on a daily basis compared to the other speed monsters.

Interested individuals need to prepare $12,453 upon signing of the contract. This is broken down to $9,900 for a down payment, the rent for the first month, and an acquisition fee of $895.

Looking at the numbers, a Tesla Roadster compared to a gasoline operated car can save you about $131 every month on fuel. This assumption is based on the average 833 miles covered by a regular driver every month according to an EPA test.

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TVR plans a comeback with US V8 under the hood

TVR is looking forward to a hot re-launch with a car that runs on a V-8 engine sourced from the United States under its hood. The sticker price is expected to hit about £70,000 when it gets to the dealerships.

The details about the comeback are not yet disclosed officially but we heard some buzz that Nikolai Smolenski, the Russian owner of TVR, plans to unveil the new speed monster at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. There is also a possibility that it might be revealed sooner.

According to insiders, the car will sport a crate engine V8 from the U.S. so it will most likely come from Chevrolet or Ford. The designers are set to keep the TVR values with this new release so we can expect at least 500 horsepower roaring from its engine, aggressive stance, and great design lines. It will be a head-turner at Goodwood.

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More details released about the Zenvo ST1

Zenvo Automotive may not have the prestige like that of the Bugatti or a Corvette but the Danish car maker aims to join the ranks of these marques with their Zenvo ST1. The ST1 derives the DNA of its engine from the Corvette Z06.

The ST on its tag explains it all. The 7.0L engine will be supercharged and turbocharged to squeeze out an amazing 1,104 horsepower and a torque of 1055 poun-feet. The figures double the output of the LS7 stock engine.

The power of the engine is transferred to its wheels by a six-speed manual transmission system. The bi-fuel setup powerplant can zoom from 0 to 60 mph in a blink of 3.0 seconds and reach a lightning speed of 233mph.

The Zenvo ST1 designers used steel space frame for the bones of the car and laid down carbon fiber for its shell. It is also set up with an adjustable stabilizers and shocks, and double-wishbone suspension. The car gets 19 inch Michelin tires in front while a bigger 20 inch rolls at the rear.

Zenvo will only 15 units of this speed monster. The cars are all hand-built and the sticker price for the Zenvo ST1 is expected to start at $1,275,000.

With its looks and the power under its hood, the Danish beast can really give the Ferrari and Lamborghini a fierce fight as a poster car. The recently unveiled Arash AF-10 may also look a little weak when you look at the price-performance numbers.

Keating’s TKR Supercar hits top speed of 260.1 mph

Back in 2008, British sport carmaker Keating unveiled to the public their supercar tandem, the SKR and the TKR. Keating claimed that the more potent TKR can smash the land speed record set by a production car. Last year, it was held by the Veyron of Bugatti.

During the MPH Autoshow held at the Earls Court in the United Kingdom, Keating claims before a capacity crowd that the TKR was able to post a top speed of 260.1 mph or 418.59 kph. The round of testing took place last October at Salt Lake Flats in California.

The 1,800 horsepower 7.0L TKR was able to smash unofficially the land speed record during the first two rounds of testing on the tracks of Salt Lake Flats with at least 3.0 mph faster than the SSC Ultimate Aero TT which is the current record holder. The Keating supercar must prove once more that it can hit this lighting speed to ensure that it will be posted on the Guinness Book of World Records.

The TKR shares the same architecture with the less aggressive SKR. The chassis is basically designed from steel spaceframe with some carbon fiber. The V-8 powerplant under its hood was sourced from General Motors. The powerful engine is coupled with the Porsche transaxle 5-speed transmission which sends powers to the rear wheels.

Buyers can choose from two engine variants, a 6.0L or a 7.0L of the GM V-8 powertrain. It can be configured to be naturally aspirated, turbocharged or supercharged. Keating still accepts orders but the limited run for the TKR and SKR is expected to terminate at the end of 2009.

Gemballa makes Carbon Edition of the Mirage GT

The custom interpretations of the Porsche supercar Carrera GT by Gemballa made eyes pop and made the tuning house as the best in modifying the Carrera GT. The German tuner is now toying with the Carbon Edition of the Mirage GT first seen in February. Everyone holds their breath in anticipation of amazing variations.

Gemballa will take the Mirage into new heights but with a certain exclusivity with the famous tuner producing only five samples.

The Gemballa GT release can whoop some rivals on the road with 750 horsepower. The Carbon Edition runs with a 670hp power plant with a torque of 465lb-ft. Imagine riding the untweaked Carbon Edition which is 50hp more powerful than the Carrera GT stock. What Gemballa did to the Mirage brings an extra shot of excitement with every chance behind the wheel.

The Gemballa achievement is not all hype. It is backed up by stats. The Gemballa tuned GT can blast from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Give it 9.7 seconds and it is at lightning speed of 124mph. The numbers are a bit faster than the stock record. The boost also gave the GT a top speed of 208 mph or 335 km/h.

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Royal Family of Abu Dhabi commissions A.R.T. for the AS55K Edition of the G55 AMG Mercedes

The royalties of Abu Dhabi knows how to fulfill their automotive fancies as the family commissions German tuning firm A.R.T. to tweak the G55 AMG from Mercedes-Benz. The engine output of the V8 was boosted to a supercar-like performance of 620hp.

The G-wagon from Mercedes Benz is the counterpart of the H2 of Hammer or the Land Cruiser of Toyota. Looking at its potent specs, the vehicle really does not need any tuning but A.R.T. got to do what it needs to do. The tuning company comes up with another outlandish creation especially made for the Abu Dhabi Royal Family.

The AS55K Edition G55 AMG gets unique contours as they modified the aerodynamic components from front to rear and both sides of the vehicle. The carbon finishing of the different parts also give them a 3D effect. The suggestions of the royal family were incorporated into the design before the kits were manufactured.

The air vents also get polished stainless steal trimmings which certainly catches attention. Bi-xenon headlights, chrome tailpipes, and fog lamps were also added.

The interior gets a healthy dosage of excellent wood and leather. Carbon was also an integral part of the insides. The entertainment system was also customized to the desired specs and features of the royal client. A.R.T. also injected a custom steering wheel.

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Design your own Rolls-Royce Ghost with an online visualizer

In order to keep the hordes of RR loyalists and consumers interested, Rolls-Royce has created a website that features only one of its models—the Ghost. The site is complete with computer generated images and press releases.

The most amazing feature is perhaps the site’s “visualizer” that enables people to come up with their own color schemes to match their preferred interiors and exteriors. To make the site more enjoyable, it also allows you to adjust the trims and dash. Just how cool is that!

As we have scene in recent spy photos, the Rolls-Royce Ghost looks like the Rolls Royce 200EX concept car. Several users have said that the images produced online for both interior and exterior is close pretty close the specifications of the final production.

Despite the global financial crisis that has several car makers all over the world in a steady downward spin with possible bankruptcy threats, foreclosures, and purchase, the production of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost is right on track. The Ghost will push forward s the first few models will be joining the line ups in showrooms. It is assumed that the Ghost models will come out early in 2011.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost is aimed at its high-end competitors: Mercedes-Benz and BMW (read up on BMW on BMW Blog, BMWTalk.net). It is also expected to compete with Bentley’s Continental line up. With these information at hand, we could only assume that the Ghost will have the heavy price tag that would fall in between $200,000 and $300,000.

Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE Package rounds Fiorano circuit in 1 minute 26.5 seconds

The Ferrari 599 received some criticisms that it leans too much when it negotiates corners on speed limits and as a result registers slower times. The Ferrari engineers aren’t happy when they hear consumers complain about their baby, so like what they did with the 612 and 575, they analyzed the problem and came up with a solution.

Consumers buying their 599 red stallions can opt for an HGTE or Handling Grand Turismo Evoluzione. The handling package is aimed at delivering sportier driving dynamics – and it’s been approved by Michael Schumacher since its development!

Ferrari injected into the HGTE some harder springs, new calibration configuration for the high end shock absorbers, and roll bar for the rear. Some other modifications include lowering the ride height to lower the center of gravity of the 599 which makes the ride even more stable. The tires are also optimized to provide better road grip.

The electronics of the Ferrari 599 have been improved as well to make the car respond better to the driver. The gear box was set to meet high performance demands. A new software strategy was also installed to improve the acceleration of the car.

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Howard Hughes’ Rare Lincoln 1936 Aero-Mobile tagged at $1 Million

Rare cars rarely go on auction. Anyone who will see a 1936 Aero Mobile Lincoln may have their jaws drop to the floor especially when they know the history that it was part of Howard Hughes’ legacy.

One of the most famous, intriguing American Socialite, Howard Hughes was known to come up with his odd but wonderful creations. He built the biggest flying boat and other interesting works which are very impressive.

Hughes was also a film director and producer, an aviator, and an industrialist. He had the finances to cover for his fancies being considered one of the richest persons in the world. His machines helped him conquer some of the world records.

Howard Hughes’ knowledge of the science of flight met with the world of automotive in this 1936 Lincoln that came to be known as the Aero Mobile.

He reduced the weight of the car dramatically and modified the engine so that in can zoom into speeds beyond 100 mph. During his time, a speed like it was unheard of with passenger cars.

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