Auto Technology News

A long-time Hyundai tuner, Shawn Williams from Street Concepts, delivered a sophisticated, bespoke Azera sedan. His team took Hyundai’s flagship and turned it into the “VIP Luxury Tuner.” The Azera’s custom white pearl paint and black suede seats with white stitching create a sporty look to match the Eibach suspension, MagnaFlow catback exhaust, K&N intake and Brembo brakes.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it will bring TDI clean diesel technology to select North American race tracks starting in May 2008. The Jetta TDI Cup series will be sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing Inc., and will appear at up to eight major racing venues in North America during 2008. “The Jetta TDI Cup racing series will celebrate Volkswagen’s diesel technology and heritage in motorsports as good, clean fun,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Not only will the young drivers gain real-life track experience in a factory-prepared race vehicle, it will allow them to develop their own mindset of today’s clean diesel technology, and foster increased awareness of its advantages in this new era of environmental sensitivity.” The Jetta TDI Cup shifts gears from the previously announced GTI program, allowing Volkswagen to showcase the power and performance of its new clean diesel technology, available in the upcoming 2009 Je...

Troy Lee Designs, known for its custom-design racing helmets, sports equipment and apparel, is "responsible" for this modified Veracruz called the Hyundai Veracruz High-Tech Urban Escape Vehicle. Through the Hyundai Veracruz Urban Escape the all-new Veracruz, launched earlier this year, has been critically acclaimed for boldly challenging the Lexus RX350 in quality and performance. The Hyundai Veracruz High-Tech Urban Escape Vehicle showcases the full potential of this vehicle’s platform in the hands of an enthusiastic tuner shop. The skilled painters applied a classic Troy Lee Designs paint scheme with Momo FXL1 wheels that pair beautifully with the 265/50-20 Nitto 420 tires. Mechanically, the Hyundai Veracruz Urban Escape was modified with Eibach springs and received a beefed-up Willwood oversized brake system. Luxury and comfort are the cornerstones of the Hyundai Veracruz Urban Escape, which features custom leather seats, painted interior moldings and trim pieces and cust...

Powered by the 2.0L Clean Diesel TDI, delivering 140 horsepower and 235 ft.-lbs. of torque, the new Jetta SportWagen does not conform to old station wagon stereotypes. Using readily available body components and finished in custom paint and graphics, this Jetta TDI SportWagen demonstrates what can be done to personalize a Jetta. To reinforce the sportin this wagon, the Jetta’s underpinnings were upgraded by H&R Springs to lower its ride height, and make its handling razor sharp. The Jetta TDI SportWagen remains firmly planted with 19 inch Sportec Wheels and Yokohama Tires wrapped around an upgraded Brembo brake kit, providing high performance stopping power. Hella provides up-level lighting components that add a unique flair to the styling.

The Arden Jaguar XKR AJ20 has a re-built engine that has received an increase in displacement. The displacement increase in Arden Jaguar XKR AJ20's engine was made possible by fitting a new crankshaft along with new con rods and pistons. The Arden Jaguar XKR AJ20 has now a 4.5 liter engine. The Arden XKR AJ20 develops 480 bhp / 353 kW and 640 Nm of torque at 3.850 rpm from its supercharged 4.5 l V8 engine. The Arden XKR AJ20 has various aerodynamic improvements that also give it a more sporty look. The aerodynamics of the Arden XKR AJ20 were tested and optimised in the wind tunnel with the effect of a better air drag.

Toyota have officially announced the second generation Toyota Sequoia will debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in a couple of weeks time. There are no officially photos yet, so we have to make do with a spy shot taken earlier this year. The Sequoia is expected to be powered the same 4.7-liter and 5.7-liter V8 engines that can be found in the new Tundra and will be more spacious than the current model. Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2008 Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) and also make a major announcement regarding Toyota's fuel cell development program at a press conference at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. The completely redesigned 2008 Sequoia will be more spacious with a higher level of passenger comfort. It also will be substantially more powerful and yet, significantly more fuel efficient.

Toy manufacturer Mattel has announced that Mitsubishi Motors Research and Design of America (MRDA) employee Gary Ragle is among seven designer finalists to be selected in the company's first-ever Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge. MRDA was among six automotive manufacturers to participate in the challenge, which marked the first time Hot Wheels has turned outside the company to seek new vehicle designs. Created to represent the ultimate Mitsubishi vehicle and the spirit of the brand's future, the sleek design of Ragle's Mitsubishi Double Shotz celebrates the 4G63 engine and the Lancer Evolution. "The design takes the concept of the Lancer Evolution to the next level and ties it in with the enjoyment and imagination of the Hot Wheels® brand," said Ragle. After being selected by a panel of judges that included editors from the Los Angeles Times, Car and Driver, and Men's Journal, along with Hot Wheels designers and executives, the designs were unveiled at the...

With lyrics that don’t pull punches and themes that are brutally honest, rapper 50 Cent (a.k.a. Curtis Jackson) has risen to the top of the hip hop scene. He’s also a passionate car enthusiast with a penchant for Pontiacs – his video for the song “Amusement Park” featured the G6 GXP and G8 concept cars. Now, 50 Cent has teamed up with Pontiac and New York-based tuner to the stars, Will Castro, and his shop, Unique Autosports (the same shop featured on the television show “Unique Whips”), to build a one-of-a-kind G8 performance sedan. It debuted at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. “Partnering with Pontiac has given me the opportunity to create something truly unique – a customized performance vehicle I am really proud of,” said 50. “The G8 is like none other and it pushes the boundaries of what people think a car has to be.” The new G8 – which goes on sale nationally in early 2008 – is totally customized, with custom paint and exterior appointments, as well as a re-trimmed interior outf...

Hyundai Motor America showed a colorful glimpse of the future when it took the wraps off the Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show today. The custom concept is derived from the all-new five-door Elantra Touring, scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in 2008, taking advantage of the strong resurgence in small hatchbacks. The Elantra Touring Beach Cruiser Concept was customized by K-Daddyz Kustomz of Bakersfield, Calif., to capture this future model's high-function and fun-to-drive character. K-Daddyz Kustoms Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept K-Daddyz Kustomz is participating with Hyundai for the fifth consecutive year at SEMA with a world premier. Kyle "K-Daddy" Gann took a prototype Elantra Touring five-door compact and created the ultimate Southern California "Beach Cruiser." A two-tone "Amazing Grape" and "Tango Orange" paint scheme with Hyundai's...

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 30, 2007) - Nissan's exploration of the next generation of family transportation, the Nissan FORUM Concept, offers distinctive styling with innovations including trackless sliding doors and no B-pillars. Created at Nissan Design America, the FORUM Concept makes its public debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

2008 C350 Steel Gray with Gray-Black interior, Premium 2 package, Panorama sunroof, teleaid, Balance of the factory warranty remaining, carfax available - RBM has been Atlanta's PREMIER Mercedes Benz dealer for over 40 years. We pride ourselves on Customer Service, Quality, and a Friendly atmosphere

German tuners have just unveiled their BRABUS D3 S POWER XTRA upgrade for the new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI. The plug-in kit produces an additional 50 PS (49HP)/36.8 kW more power and an extra 80 Nm of torque combined with maximum environmental friendliness in harmony with the euro-IV emission limits. The upgrade proffers the sedan with a processor-controlled auxiliary control unit with integrated injector drive module which comes with a ready-to-connect wire harness and detailed installation instructions and can be quickly installed by any Mercedes-Benz dealer. The tuning kit works perfectly in combination with the standard particulate filter of the C 220 CDI to give more power. Regardless of the increased performance, emissions of the turbodiesel engine remains on the low level of the production car. The boost in torque gives the C 220 CDI superior pulling power even at low engine speeds, making ‘passing maneuvers’ shorter and safer. With the sprint time from 0-100 km/h of 7.8 ...