It Came from eBay Hell: Once a 1974 Toyota Celica GT, Now a Faux Ferrari

The first generation if the Toyota Celica is somewhat of a cult hero here in Australia. Affordable, sporty-looking and well equipped at the time of its launch in the early 1970s, it proved a popular alternative to the heavier, thirstier American and Australian built offerings of the time.

Let’s put that aside for one moment and focus on our eBay entrant for today. It’s a 1974 Celica GT model that’s been the victim of one of the shoddier-looking Ferrari conversions featured on this site. It’s supposed to look like a 308 GTB, though at best it looks like a 400 that’s been severely shortened.

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Categories: Australia, ebay, Ferrari, Replica, toyota, Toyota Celica, tuning

Techart Porsche 911 Turbo goes from 0 to 100km/h in 2.8 Seconds

There's fast and then there's Techart fast. The German aftermarket company that has made a name for itself in the crowded world of Porsche tuners has presented a new and more potent performance package for the current 911 Turbo [997 series].

The TA 097/T3 conversion kit for the 997 Turbo involves the installation of a sport air filter, new manifolds, the TECHART Turbo chargers VTG, high performance intercoolers as well as the an ECU upgrade and engine styling package in carbon-fibre.

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Categories: Porsche, Porsche 911, TechArt, tuning

Kubatech Gives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Some Wings

In cooperation with Mcchip-dkr, German tuning firm Kubatech has presented a soft performance upgrade for the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing.

The kit is limited to a software optimization for the ECU. The Gullwing model's 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine normally lays out 571-horsepower and 650Nm (479 lb-ft) of peak torque at 4,750 rpm, and this package will bump those figures to 625-horses and 680Nm (501.5 lb-ft).

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Categories: Mcchip, Mercedes, Mercedes SLS AMG, tuning

Ferrari 458 Italia Re-imagined by French Designer

Almost everyone who has laid eyes on the Ferrari 458 Italia's bodywork will agree that it is a work of art. Even though Ferrari’s people claim that it was function, and especially aerodynamics, that dictated many elements of the 458 Italia's shape, it is perhaps one of the most striking supercars currently on sale along with the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4.

Surely, no one would dare suggest otherwise, right? Well, not so fast. Olivier Demangel is a French designer and 3D artist who lives in London has cooked up three proposals for a redesigned 458 Italia.

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Categories: Ferrari, Ferrari 458, Ferrari Concepts, tuning

MR Car Design Spiffs Up the Renault Clio RS

The Renault Clio RenaultSport or RS 200 for short is considered to be one of the best small hot hatches in Europe. German tuning house MR Car Design believes it can make it a little bit better with a selection of very mild modifications.

MR Car Design starts with the Renault Clio RS 200's 2.0-liter, naturally-aspirated four-banger that produces 200-horses in factory tune. After the fitting of an optimized ECU and a custom exhaust system that includes the Akrapovic-Evolution-System, output is pushed to a more potent 220-horsepower.

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Categories: MR Car Design, Renault, Renault Clio, tuning

BMW Releases New Power Kits for 135i and 335i that Boost Output to 320HP

BMW's North American division has set its eyes on the lucrative aftermarket business with the releases of two performance packages for the 135i Coupe and 335i models.

The stage 1 and 2 Power Kits for the aforementioned models are fully covered under BMW of North America’s limited warranty and can be retrofitted at BMW centers or via the Port Installation Program.

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Categories: BMW, BMW 1-Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW X6, Reports, tuning

Japanese Tuner Sheds Some…LEDs on the Lamborghini Diablo [Video]

If you found the LED adorned Ferrari 458 Italia to be an overkill, wait until you check out this gem created from a Japanese audio and light systems specialist called Diecock – no seriously, that is the company's name.

Make the jump below and see what you should never do to a Lamborghini Diablo.

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Categories: Japan, Lamborghini, Lamborghini Videos, Offbeat News, tuning, video

SEMA Preview: Fox Marketing Working on Monster 2012 Honda Civic Coupe with More than 500HP

Even though we are still wrapping up the goods from the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt, we are keeping an eye on upcoming automotive events such as the 2011 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, more commonly referred to as SEMA, that will take place in Las Vegas from November 1 to 4.

One of the project cars currently being developed for the largest aftermarket gathering in the world is a highly modified 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe from Fox Marketing.

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Categories: Fox Marketing, honda, Honda Civic, Reports, SEMA Show, tuning

IAA 2011: New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series with Aero and Track Packages

We first gave you a taste of the new C63 AMG Coupe Black Series fitted with the special track and aerodynamic packages back in August when we spied a prototype testing at the Nürburgring, but Mercedes-Benz showed the production model at this week's Frankfurt Auto Show.

Available as separate options on the limited edition C63 AMG Coupe Black Series, which is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 pushing out 517-horses, the AMG Track and Aerodynamic Packages were designed to further enhance the two-door model's driving dynamics.

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Categories: AMG, Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes, Mercedes C-Class, New Cars, tuning

IAA 2011: New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series with Aero and Track Packages

We first gave you a taste of the new C63 AMG Coupe Black Series fitted with the special track and aerodynamic packages back in August when we spied a prototype testing at the Nürburgring, but Mercedes-Benz showed the production model at this week's Frankfurt Auto Show.

Available as separate options on the limited edition C63 AMG Coupe Black Series, which is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 pushing out 517-horses, the AMG Track and Aerodynamic Packages were designed to further enhance the two-door model's driving dynamics.

Read more »

Categories: AMG, Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes, Mercedes C-Class, New Cars, tuning

IAA 2011: New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series with Aero and Track Packages

We first gave you a taste of the new C63 AMG Coupe Black Series fitted with the special track and aerodynamic packages back in August when we spied a prototype testing at the Nürburgring, but Mercedes-Benz showed the production model at this week's Frankfurt Auto Show.

Available as separate options on the limited edition C63 AMG Coupe Black Series, which is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 pushing out 517-horses, the AMG Track and Aerodynamic Packages were designed to further enhance the two-door model's driving dynamics.

Read more »

Categories: AMG, Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes, Mercedes C-Class, New Cars, tuning

Senner Tuning Beefs up the Audi S5 Sportback

The crew over at Senner Tuning have pointed their guns on the pre-facelift Audi S5 Sportback with the release of a new package that aims to improve both the performance and styling aspects of Ingolstadt's liftback model.

Underhood, the S5's 3.0-liter TSI V6 gains a software optimization, a new air filter and a custom exhaust system, all of which do their part to lift output from 333HP and 440Nm to 445-horses and 530Nm (390.9 lb-ft) of peak torque.

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Categories: audi, Audi A5, Audi A5 Sportback, Senner, tuning

Anderson Germany Overdoes the Porsche Panamera Turbo

In general, German tuners aren't known for their restraint in the visual department and Anderson Germany's latest take on the Porsche Panamera Turbo is no exception to the rule.

If you're looking for a subtle makeover, you may as well skip this post altogether because Anderson Germany has gone wild with its cosmetic proposal. The tuning firm starts by wrapping the Panamera sports saloon in a matte red vinyl cover.

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Categories: Anderson Germany, Porsche, Porsche Panamera, tuning

Bring in the Light: BMW 7-Series with Glowing Rims

We are not sure if we should call this mod cool or way over the top, but the glowing rims on the Bangle-era BMW 7-Series saloon certainly captured our attention, which was probably why the owner of the vehicle put them on in the first place.

You can check them out for yourself in the short video clip right after the jump.

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Categories: BMW, BMW 7-Series, BMW Videos, Offbeat News, tuning, video

IAA 2011: Eterniti Hemera Brings a Breath of Fresh Air to the Porsche Cayenne

Making its world premiere in close-to-production form is the Eterniti Hemera, which the newly formed London-based company refers to as the "world's first Super-SUV".

A close look at the Hemera reveals that the vehicle is more or less a heavily modified (or tuned, take your pick) Porsche Cayenne SUV, which itself is based on the VW Touareg.

Eterniti claims that all body panels on the Hemera are new and made of carbon composite materials, while the company added that is also working on bespoke LED headlamps and lenses that will make it on the final production model.

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Categories: Eterniti, Frankfurt Motor Show, New Cars, Porsche, Porsche Cayenne, tuning

IAA 2011: Eterniti Hemera Brings a Breath of Fresh Air to the Porsche Cayenne

Making its world premiere in close-to-production form is the Eterniti Hemera, which the newly formed London-based company refers to as the "world's first Super-SUV".

A close look at the Hemera reveals that the vehicle is more or less a heavily modified (or tuned, take your pick) Porsche Cayenne SUV, which itself is based on the VW Touareg.

Eterniti claims that all body panels on the Hemera are new and made of carbon composite materials, while the company added that is also working on bespoke LED headlamps and lenses that will make it on the final production model.

Read more »

Categories: Eterniti, Frankfurt Motor Show, New Cars, Porsche, Porsche Cayenne, tuning

IAA 2011: Eterniti Hemera Brings a Breath of Fresh Air to the Porsche Cayenne

Making its world premiere in close-to-production form is the Eterniti Hemera, which the newly formed London-based company refers to as the "world's first Super-SUV".

A close look at the Hemera reveals that the vehicle is more or less a heavily modified (or tuned, take your pick) Porsche Cayenne SUV, which itself is based on the VW Touareg.

Eterniti claims that all body panels on the Hemera are new and made of carbon composite materials, while the company added that is also working on bespoke LED headlamps and lenses that will make it on the final production model.

Read more »

Categories: Eterniti, Frankfurt Motor Show, New Cars, Porsche, Porsche Cayenne, tuning

IAA 2011: Brabus Presents the World's New Fastest Street-Legal Sedan, the CLS-Based Rocket 800

Mercedes-Benz specialist Brabus has a thing about building insanely fast cars. Now, half a decade after the presentation of what was then billed as the fastest saloon in the world, the limited run Brabus Rocket based on the first generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the German company returns to Frankfurt with a vengeance presenting a new ludicrous proposal.

The successor to the original Rocket is built around the second generation of the CLS sports saloon with power coming from a heavily modified Mercedes-Benz-sourced V12 bi-turbocharged engine.

Read more »

Categories: Brabus, Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes, Mercedes CLS, New Cars, tuning

IAA 2011: Brabus Presents the World's New Fastest Street-Legal Sedan, the CLS-Based Rocket 800

Mercedes-Benz specialist Brabus has a thing about building insanely fast cars. Now, half a decade after the presentation of what was then billed as the fastest saloon in the world, the limited run Brabus Rocket based on the first generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the German company returns to Frankfurt with a vengeance presenting a new ludicrous proposal.

The successor to the original Rocket is built around the second generation of the CLS sports saloon with power coming from a heavily modified Mercedes-Benz-sourced V12 bi-turbocharged engine.

Read more »

Categories: Brabus, Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes, Mercedes CLS, New Cars, tuning

IAA 2011: Brabus Presents the World's New Fastest Street-Legal Sedan, the CLS-Based Rocket 800

Mercedes-Benz specialist Brabus has a thing about building insanely fast cars. Now, half a decade after the presentation of what was then billed as the fastest saloon in the world, the limited run Brabus Rocket based on the first generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the German company returns to Frankfurt with a vengeance presenting a new ludicrous proposal.

The successor to the original Rocket is built around the second generation of the CLS sports saloon with power coming from a heavily modified Mercedes-Benz-sourced V12 bi-turbocharged engine.

Read more »

Categories: Brabus, Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes, Mercedes CLS, New Cars, tuning