MTM’s Birkin Edition Upgrade for Bentleys

If the stock Bentley is not enough, MTM has what you’ve been searching for. It’s called the Birkin Edition upgrade and is meant for the Continental GT, GTC, GT Speed, GTC Speed, Flying Spur and Supersports. The upgrade kit includes a chrome front grille, a stainless steel exhaust system, centre and end muffler with throttle control, a four-pipe rear spoiler and stylish 21-inch alloy wheels. But it’s not only a visual upgrade because MTM worked the engines, a bit, too. The Continental GT for example, has been upped from 560hp to 635hp and now reaches a max speed of 331km/h. But all these come at a price. MTM is going to charge you 20,000 Euro if you’re not opting for the Individual Programme.

Win a Custom 2010 Ford Mustang GT from Chip Foose

We at Carblog have a passion for the `67 Eleanor from Gone in 60 Seconds, but also enjoy the 2010 Ford Mustang. So now that there’s a chance to win one, we’re all game. All pimped up by the creative Chip Foos, here’s the custom Mustang GT that you can win if you enter yourself on PowerBlockTV.com. And if winning a car is not enough, this pony features an Edelbrock supercharger system for more power, a stylish Roush body kit, Magnaflow exhaust, stunning Foose wheels, Baer brakes, Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, and a paint cover that charms upon a first glance. The car is going to be awarded on October 12th …

The latest BMW engine: N55 - found in the BMW 5 Series GT

The launch of the BMW 5 Series GT also coincides with the introduction of a new BMW engine, internal codename: N55. The new BMW TwinPower Turbo uses a single twin scroll turbo instead of twin turbochargers as the N54 engine. The 2,979cc six-cylinder powerplant features for the first time High Precision Injection and variable VALVETRONIC valve management combined with the single twin-scroll turbocharger.

Even though BMW has not yet confirmed our suspicions, we believe the single turbocharger used in the 5 Series GT is the same as those fitted to the new 4.4 liter V8 engine in the X5M/X6M. Power and torque is similar to the twin turbo engine - 225 kW/306 hp at a speed of 5,800 rpm- but the 400Nm/295 lb-ft peak torque kicks in 1,000 rpm earlier at 1,200 rpm.

N54 Engine Featured Here

Compared to the BMW turbo engine already well-known in the 335i, 535i and other models, the N55 engine offers even greater fuel economy combined with optimized CO2 management. The power unit of the BMW 535i Gran Turismo is the first turbocharged engine to feature a map-controlled oil pump which, taking up less energy, makes a further contribution to motoring efficiency.

We’ve also done some snooping around and asked some people, and the rumor is that in the near future, BMW will offer a twin-turbo engine with VALVETRONIC and Direct-Injection, which might produce close to 360 horsepower. Since we can’t confirm it 100%, take this with a grain of salt, but we’ll let you know as soon as we hear more.

Porsche & Volkswagen merger update

It was only about 12 months ago that Porsche was being praised for the brilliant business tactics in its take over Europe’s largest manufacturer, Volkswagen.

Now it seems the tables have turned and Volkswagen reported today that it has loaned 700 million euro (A$1.3 billion) to Porsche.

It is an interesting and somewhat bizarre move between the two Germany giants in the midst of their negotiations for a merger.

Additionally Porsche is nine billion euro in debt as of the end of January and as a result had to abandon its initial move to take over Volkswagen.

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Reports from Germany today suggest the two companies will take longer than expected to reach a merger agreement.

The original plan was to have a deal signed four weeks after initial negotiations began on May 6, but that now seems unlikely. Porsche already owns almost 51 per cent of Volkswagen AG.

Both companies have said they are looking at creating an “integrated company.”

Financial troubles for the German sportcar manufacturer have become a public affair, in March Porsche tried to find 12.5 billion euros (A$22 billion) in loans to restructure its debt, but only managed to raise around 10 billion euro.

Since then an additional 750 million euros has been raised and the company is actively seeking an additional 1.75 billion euros.

Porsche is said to not be dependent on external financing until March 2010.

2009 Toyota Aurion Touring Special Edition

Toyota has released a new special-edition model into the Aurion range to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary in Australia.

The Aurion Touring Special Edition carries the same price tag as the entry-level Aurion AT-X sedan yet offers more than $2700 worth of additional standard equipment.

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Matching the specifications of the AT-X, the Touring Special Edition adds 17-inch alloys wheels with a full-size spare, rear spoiler, a Sportivo radiator grille, sports headlamps, sports rear combination lamps, “50th Anniversary” decals and sports pedals.

Toyota has also included front foglamps as well as front and rear sonar parking sensors as standard features on the Aurion Touring SE.

Inside, the new models gains a six-disc CD changer, dual-zone climate-control for the air-conditioning, leather-bound four-spoke steering wheel, leather gear lever knob and a multi-information display.

The usual list of standard safety features have been maintained, including six airbags, vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-skid brakes and an adaptive six-speed automatic sequential-style gearbox.

The Aurion Touring Special Edition is available now from Toyota with a retail price of $34,990.

Mazda RX-8 picks up more standard kit in Japan

In what we can only hope will have a flow on effect for Australian buyers, standard equipment levels across the entire RX-8 range have been updated in Japan.

The updates include rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto headlamps, and Mazda’s auto-light system, two new body colors – Aluminum Metallic and Metropolitan Grey Mica – and an audio-less base model where the space for a head unit in the centre panel is left as an open storage unit.

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Keyless entry is now also standard across the range, as is push-button start.

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo released

BMW has finally revealed the 5 Series Gran Turismo, a car which combines an understated coupé-like silhouette to the luxurious interior of a BMW 7 Series, while at the same time giving the functionality of a BMW 5 Series Touring or X5.

The 19th distinct model shape to be offered in the BMW portfolio has a vehicle length nearly on par with a BMW 7 Series to create a greater feeling of space for those inside.

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This translates into the second greatest amount of legroom offered by any BMW while headroom is equivalent to that of a BMW X5. Meanwhile, boot space can be enhanced from 440 litres up to 1700 litres, only 50 litres behind the capacity of the BMW X5 and the second largest space compared to all current BMWs.

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is available as either a four-seat Executive specification car for a luxurious, spacious feel or in a five-seat SE configuration for a blend of sophistication and practicality.

But its truly innovative feature is a two-piece tailgate which is a first in the premium segment, giving an owner the option to choose between two ways of opening the rear of the vehicle depending on the objects needed to be stowed.

A more conventional saloon style boot opening provides access for smaller objects. This allows the cabin area to remain warm and without noise intrusion.

The hatch-style opening combined with a flexible partition comes into play should the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo owner wish to make full use of its load-lugging capacity.

The rear seats can be moved 100mm fore or aft to either increase boot space or provide greater legroom for rear seat passengers.

With the rear seats moved forwards, the seat backs folded virtually flat and the parcel shelf removed and stowed beneath the luggage compartment floor, much bulkier items can then be transported.

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo has been styled to represent its unique position in the market.

The familiar BMW kidney grilles and large air intakes hint at the car’s performance potential, while a roof line that curves downwards towards the rear and the frameless doors both give a coupé feel.

Inside, the seats are all set in a semi-command driving position for the best mix of forward vision yet comfortable access. One of the key features of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is the height of the seats.

Potential customers have expressed a desire for the luxury of a BMW 7 Series but also the feeling of security and all round visibility a car with a command driving position such as the BMW X5 offers.

Black Panel technology first shown on the BMW 7 Series features for an added touch of luxury. Black Panel technology is a signature piece of design that allows the displays of the centre console to double as a stylish trim.

The electronic displays are visible through the Black Panel technology when needed, but are discreet enough to form a stylish black band across the interior. Control switches in galvanised metal are set into the centre console by way of contrast.

Three models will be available at launch. The 530d, a 535i and a 550i.

SsangYong gets OK for re-structure

SsangYong has been given the all-clear by a South Korean court to begin its restructuring plans.

The court confirmed a recent Samil Pricewaterhouse Coopers assessment that the manufacturer had a greater value as a going concern than its liquidated value, and ordered SsangYong to submit its full restructuring plan by mid-September.

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SsangYong applied for, and was granted court receivership in February after the fall-out of the international credit crunch, a drop in demand and even higher raw material, oil and energy prices.

Court receivership is similar to US Chapter 11 status, giving the company protection fromcreditors and time to formulate and implement a corporate resuscitation plan.

Under the arrangements, the court appointed former Hyundai Motor president Lee Yoo-il, and SYMC vice-president in charge of finance, Park Young-tae as co-legal administrators.

Despite these uncertainties SsangYong already had much of this programme in place, including vital new model development and a reduction in its workforce by over a third.

SsangYong is now confident it can continue to grow with the introduction of such models as the all-new C200 ‘compact urban vehicle’ (pictured above) which is scheduled for production later this year.

We’ll be sure to keep you abreast of any further developments.

2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon

Japanese automaker Subaru perform today the world debut of the new Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon. The all-new Legacy Wagon will be available on the all markets, except the U.S. Really, the 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon is the same car as the Outback, minus the increased ride height, roof rails and SUV-like body cladding.

In Japan, the new Legacy Touring Wagon is offered with a naturally aspirated and turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine.

The European market model that will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September should get a 2.0-liter boxer petrol unit as well as Subaru’s new four-pot diesel.

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Rendered Speculation: Honda set to release Acura coupe in 2010?

Rumor on two continents – Germany in Auto Motor und Sport and Japan in Holiday – has it that Acura is developing a sleek four-door to join the lexicologically questionable segment known as "four-door coupes." The various translations equate to a car built on the forthcoming ZDX crossover's architecture, with reports suggesting that the new model will slot in between the TSX and the TL. Longer than the TSX by a few inches, the coupe is expected to also be wider, lower, and have a longer wheelbase than the small sedan.

Although one of the outlets mentioned a V8 and a FR layout, the consensus on a proposed engine is the 3.7-liter V6 paired up with Acura's SH-AWD and Motion Adaptive EPS. When might one expect to see this latter-day CL, if such a thing really does exist? Next year's Detroit Auto Show, with U.S. sales perhaps at the end of 2010.

Arrival of 2009 Audi S4

German luxury car maker Audi has released the current top of the range sporty version of its A4, better known as the Audi S4.

Using a brand new 3.0-litre V6 engine with direct fuel injection and mechanical supercharging, the BMW 335i competitor produces 245 kW and 440 Nm of torque, resulting in a 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds.

It does it all while using an average 9.4 litres of fuel per 100 km (24% improvement over the old S4). Whilst we wait for the new Audi RS4, the S4 still has Audi’s respected quattro permanent all-wheel drive system that gives it the advantage over its two German rivals.

The engine is mated to a new seven-speed S tronic gearbox as well as a new sport differential. For a car that costs $118,900 it’s standard features don’t exactly jump out at us. Listed highlight items include a DVD-based Navigation System, Audi MMI operating logic, electric seats and mirrors, Audi Parking Plus system at front and rear, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and full keyless entry.

Of course if you keep reading you’ll soon realise that the price tag does in fact justify itself. To differentiate it from the A4, the S4 gets special aprons, aluminium-look exterior mirrors, 18-inch S-design alloy wheels, sill panels, restrained rear spoiler, the now-familiar Audi Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and the rear LED lights, and, of course, quadruple exhaust system.

Sports seats featuring electric lumbar support, a modified instrument panel and sport steering wheel also set the car apart. If money is not an issue, Audi now offers its adaptive cruise control (ACC) as an option. The system regulates the distance to the vehicle in front, and braking guard issues warnings regarding possible rear-end collisions.

Although BMW has won numerous awards for its twin-turbo engine found in the 135i, 335i, X6, 7-series and now the new Z4, Audi believes that mechanical charging in conjunction with direct injection is better than twin turbochargers for starting performance and responsiveness.

We look forward to bringing you a road test of the S4 in the future. If you’re interestead, you can find more specific technical information at: 2009 Audi S4 Specifications