Rap Star – Lorinser shows its recent E-Class creation

The new Mercedes E Class has been celebrated as one of the most classy, handsome and understated designs in years. As usual, it didn’t take long for tuners to change that. For those who want to look more like they belong in a rap video or the parking lot of an NFL training camp, tuner Lorinser has released photos of their latest E Class treatment for the W212 chassis. We will admit, we really like the more aggressive front bumper and the rear diffuser, but after that, we would leave it stock. Lorinser may be going for the DTM Racecar look with the vented front fenders, but it instead, screams boy racer. Now that every Civic, Integra and Scion is sporting this look, I think it’s time to let it go. Same goes for the 1990s throw-back boxed side skirts with the vent in back. I don’t car if it is functional, which I doubt, it looks ridiculous and dated.

Pumping Iron – Sharkwerks adds more muscle to the GT3 RS

We love turbo cars. For quick and easy power, economy and power to weight ratio, there is nothing like them. However, for psychic levels of throttle response, sound and overall driving enjoyment, there is no replacement for a well-built naturally aspirated engine. A Porsche GT3RS in stock form is already one of the best naturally aspirated cars on the planet. Getting 415hp out of a streetable 3.6-liters a few years ago would have been nothing short of a miracle, even for a tuner. For it to come with a factory warranty was the work of dark forces.

Sharkwerks Tuning in Fremont California know that your average enthusiast has a very short memory. For those no longer impressed with a mere 415hp, they are offering a 3.9-liter conversion for GT3 and GT3 RS’s to take them to an astounding 500hp.

VF Engineering – Keep that old R8 a little longer

I know a lot of you R8 owners out there are losing sleep wondering if you will need to trade in that old V8 when the V10s start hitting dealerships. The thought of sitting at a stoplight and someone pulling up with a faster Audi just eats away at your very being. Well fear not fans of the one up-manship game, VF-Engineering has just the thing for you. It is not a prosthetic two-cylinder bolt on addition, it’s better.

VF-Engineering has been mastering the art of force feeding German power plants for 15 years. Originating in the UK, VF’s R&D facility in located in sunny Southern California, apparently wet English roads could no longer handle all the power they were creating. They made their name creating supercharger kits for the e46 M3 and MK4 R32. They later moved into turbo kits for the VW and Audi 2.0t and both MK4 and MK5 R32s. Lately they have been moving up to even larger engines focusing on supercharger kits for the new e90 M3 V8 as well as the V8s in both the S4 and RS4.

Autotech 1.8t Intake Camshaft – Power Bump Stick

Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter turbo represented a huge step for tuners and enthusiasts alike. The G60 before it had given enthusiasts a taste of the potential of forced induction. The US market only saw it in the Corrado, while the rest of the world could enjoy Golfs and even Passats powered by the little blown four. Sadly the G-Ladder supercharger proved to be unreliable and VW had moved to the larger VR6 at its performance alternative for the MK3.

With the release of the MK4, car companies started to see the fuel economy writing on the wall. Small displacement forced induction engines would have to replace the bigger displacement, thirstier engines. Not only did the 1.8t deliver better economy, but enthusiasts found levels of tuning that just weren’t possible in naturally aspirated engines.

The 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260: someone cares about us

With Porsche producing SUVs and sedans, and Ferrari making folding hard-top cars for trophy wives instead of hard-core cars for trophy cabinets, it’s nice to see a company still coming out with stuff for dedicated driving enthusiasts. So it’s with a spine-tingling thrill that we present the supercharged and intercooled 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260.

In what is essentially a road-legal track car, the Exige Cup 260 is homologated for road use in Europe, Asia and North America. And even though it keeps the same amount of power as the 2009 model, it’s 83.6 pounds lighter (in keeping with the Lotus lightness philosophy) and has a more efficient aerodynamic package. Note also the larger roof scoop.

Ladies and gentlemen… the Maserati GranCabrio

Maserati calls it “a dream car designed and built for men and women who love to live life in an understated though sophisticated manner.” If this is understated, what the heck does over-statement look like? Nevertheless, here is the Maserati GranCabrio, a four-seat soft-top version of the frankly beautiful GranTurismo.

It’s the first-ever cabriolet with more than two seats to wear the famed trident badge and, like its tin-top brethren, the styling was done by Pininfarina, one of the true legends of car design. Note the canvas roof rather than a folding metal arrangement. The makers have an explanation for that too, stating “a link with Maserati tradition” as if having a canvas roof was some kind of unique attribute. More likely a metal roof couldn’t fit, or was too heavy/expensive. Had a contemporary alternative been available, no doubt that link with tradition would have been ditched for appearing innovative and forward-looking.

Let There Be Tiny Light – 12V Spotlight

If there is one thing the cub scouts taught me, it’s always be prepared. A close second; neckwear sucks. I didn’t like the bandana thing then, and I can’t stand wearing ties now. Clothing aside, one of the best ways to prepare for anything is always make sure you can see. A good flashlight is invaluable in any situation after sundown and even in daylight when you are trying to find the nut you dropped down into the engine compartment while on the side of the road changing a blown coil.

I have carried a Maglite flashlight in all my cars since I started driving. Some cars, like my 911, have an ideal location for storing one. Most cars however do not and you end up with the thing rolling around, thunking back and forth battering your trunk liner in turns. You can either bolt down your maglight, or find an alternative. We found these small LED rechargeable flashlights from 12V Spotlight and haven’t been in the dark since.

Refreshing Performance – VW MK4 Upkeep and Upgrades

Have you noticed your car getting less responsive? Maybe it doesn’t turn-in like it used to, the engine doesn’t seem as snappy? Cars age like we do and things start to wear out. The beauty of a car, though (unlike us), is that parts are easily replaceable and upgradeable.

Our own VW MkIV was starting to feel a little rough, so we finally decided to do something. You may not have a MkIV (or even a VW, for that matter), but these repairs and improvements apply to just about any car.

First, the front suspension felt sloppy. It would vibrate at speed, wander as if the steering wasn’t properly connected and it didn’t feel “tight”. We had visions of replacing ball joints and tie-rods, but once we got it up on the lift, the prognosis wasn’t so bleak. The guys at VW Specialties in Huntington Beach helped us diagnose and remedy the problems.

Ford Sync Killer ? Maybe

Perhaps Ford Multi-media Computer (The Sync) won’t be the only one on the market as Chrysler has just announced its going forward with U-Connect ( I know it sounds kinda ripped off), the U-Connect system will include in car Wi-fi/ 4G connectivity to check your very important Facebook messages. It also offers Satellite radio, from Sirus and also comes with a rear seat Swivel screen that allows you to connect a gaming system such as (Nintendo Wii or any other gaming stations) U-Connect System turns your car in to a mobile hot spot enabling you to download movies, music, or checking the weather. There is a hic-cup in the system that consumers might not be aware of, it’s connectivity will only reach a 100 yards with the car turned on . It’s not as functional as the Ford’s Sync but is a fully integrated option to check off , the next time you pick up a new car.

Goodyear Fuel Max – Burn More Rubber With Less Gas

We will admit that our main concern when buying tires is performance. That performance usually relates to maximum grip to get the lowest possible lap times. In street tires we prefer predictable behavior at the limit but still expect loads of grip. Ride, noise and tire life are all things we are willing to look past in the name of performance. We do however realize that some people have different measures of performance than we do. The average person looks at tires and just sees another consumable product on their car. They aren’t concerned with maximum grip or if it works well sliding around at the limit. Believe it or not, some people care about things like tread life, ride quality and even efficiency.