FERRARI WILL MOVE ITS CAR WITH A FLAG IN ITS NEXT RACE

FERRARI WILL MOVE ITS CAR WITH A FLAG IN ITS NEXT RACE

Greater Noida: Unfazed by the controversy, F1 team Ferrari will race at Sunday’s Indian Grand Prix with the Italian Navy flag on its car as India`s motor sports body is convinced that it was not a political move.

Vicky Chandhok, the President of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), was asked by the Sports Ministry this morning to verify if Ferrari's motive was political.

"I was asked to see if the flag is painted in military colour. I verified it, it wasn't and replied to the Ministry. It's just a sticker. When we are convinced that it's not a political move why should I ask them to remove it (flag) from there," Chandhok said.

It caused a huge furore when Ferrari put the flag on the car in support of the two murder-accused Italian sailors, who are facing trial in Kerala.

F1 boss Bernie Ecceleston had refused to be drawn into the controversy and had said that it was for the National Sports Association to sort out.

The External Affairs ministry had disapproved Ferrari's decision when official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that using sporting events to promote cause which are not of a sporting nature is "not in keeping with the spirit of sports".

FMSCI also issued a statement saying Ferrari have clarified that their move will not have any "political implications".

"The FMSCI would like to maintain that the FIA code of motorsport is apolitical and non-religious and the FMSCI will not permit motorsports to be politicized in any manner. Stefano Domencialli, Team Principal Scuderia Ferrari, has confirmed that their initiative of carrying their national navy flag does not have and should not be seen as having any political implication," the statement said.

FMSCI also said that it "firmly believes that carrying their national navy flag will not have any effect on the case pending before the Indian Courts. The FMSCI will not permit any attempt to subvert the process of justice by politicizing the event."

Ferrari also issued a statement, saying that, "The Italian Navy's national flag on the Ferrari race cars at the Indian Grand Prix is there as a tribute to one of our country’s outstanding institutions.

"With all the respect due to the Indian Authorities, Ferrari wishes to make it clear that this initiative does not have, nor should it be seen as having, any political implication," the statement said.

Chandhok and Domencialli were also seen shaking hands in a picture issued by FMSCI

 

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New car probably won't be different at Daytona, 'Dega

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• New model has shorter spoiler, different bumpers that may make restrictor pla
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NASCAR's rules and cars have changed through the years, but one constant remains at restrictor-plate tracks such as Talladega Superspeedway: The crashes are spectacular and unlikely to stop.

What fans saw Sunday — a 25-car, last-lap wreck triggered by Tony Stewart that sent his car airborne — could be just as likely at Talladega or Daytona International Speedway in 2013, when NASCAR unveils a new car.

Kasey Kahne was among a handful of drivers who tested the car — which will more resemble the manufacturers' floor models — at Talladega last week and said the car could be a challenge in the restrictor-plate races.

"They move around more. That will make everything interesting," Kahne said. "It was interesting with six cars, let alone 40. It will cause some problems at times, I'd say.

"Pushing was definitely different, the way the car moved around in front of you and also I felt when I was getting pushed. I think that was something with the smaller spoiler and just the front ends of the cars, the shape on the front end; it's not as near as nice a fit on the back of the car."

Racing at those tracks remains a dilemma 25 years after Bobby Allison's car crashed into the catchfence at Talladega, injuring fans and prompting NASCAR to use carburetor restrictor plates to slow the cars. Series officials have traded one issue for another. Instead of cars running laps at more than 210 mph, now they are clustered side-by-side, with drivers unable to avoid calamity when it strikes.

NASCAR has undertaken safety initiatives since Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, including the addition of SAFER walls around tracks, driver compartments that provide more protection and a car model that is safer. But some elements of racing at these tracks cannot be controlled.

"Because this type of racing and the way the aerodynamics are and the power on these cars, that's what happens," Jeff Gordon said. "When you lose that momentum, you lose a ton. You're going backwards in such a hurry and the other guys are coming forward with so much momentum, it's inevitable that those types of things are going to happen.''

Twenty-two of the 43 starters in the May race at Talladega were listed by NASCAR as being in a crash. Sunday, it was 30 of 43.

For car owners who watch their vehicles damaged or destroyed, they likely won't feel any different next year than they did before Sunday's race.

Jack Roush, who watched driver Matt Kenseth pull away for the win as the field behind him wrecked, admits he's conflicted about restrictor-plate racing.

"I really just figure those cars as a write-off whenever I load it up in the truck to bring it to one of these restrictor-plate races," Roush said.

To those concerned about the racing at Talladega and what future races hold, Kevin Harvick tweeted Monday: "All this talk about Dega this morning cracks me up... This race has been this way since restrictor plates were put on. #oldnews.''

As he took questions from fans, he added: "Here's the deal people gripe about tandems, packs, & they will gripe about the plates off..Its Daytona & Talladega no matter the rules.''

Maybe the 2013 car can solve some of those issues.

Although they had yet to test the new car, Gordon and Kyle Busch were asked how much it would impact racing.

"It's going to be awesome,'' Gordon said Sunday, tongue-in-cheek. "Start buying your Talladega tickets now."

"(And) Daytona 500 tickets,'' Busch said.

THREE BEST SPORTSCARS IN INDIa

Nissan 370Z Sportscar

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• Two-door coupé sportscars that match practicality and performance

There are sportscars and then they are supercars. While supercars deliver more performance, for more dough of course, it come with oodles more of snob value too. Practicality is something that isn't a given with a supercar, at least if you're referring to the Ferraris and Lamborghinis set. So how do you revel in high engine performance, sporty handling and sharp looks each day of the year, when you drive down to work or even just run errands around town? Enter the sportscar. Here are three two-door sportscars coupés that aren't just affordable, but also extremely practical as everyday cars.

Audi TT sports coupé (Rs 48.36 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi)
This is one of the most affordable sportscars in the Indian market. Audi India has launched the 2012 version of the two-seater Audi TT sports coupé in the Indian car market a few days ago and the new model brings a bevy of changes to the table. Audi has done plenty with the 2012 TT to keep the car current and retain its characteristic appeal of being a compact, high-performance sportscar. Audi has gone in for an all-new front and rear end, replete with new headlamps, grilles, front bumpers, rear bumpers and tail lamps. Power to the four wheels of the car comes through a 2-liter TFSI turbo petrol engine that uses turbocharging and direct injection to pump out a peak power of 211bhp and a peak torque of 350Nm. The engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission that also comes with a manual gear shifting feature called Tiptronic in Audispeak. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through the Audi Quattro all wheel drive system. They have also managed to keep the weight to a minimum by using plenty of aluminum in the 2012 TT's construction. A top speed of 250kph and a nought to hundred sprint in 5.6 seconds is the result.

Nissan 370Z (Rs 53.5 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi)
An entry-level Audi sportscar not your thing? If you crave for a sportier package, say hello to the Nissan 370Z, which while not being much faster than the Audi TT, is much closer to true sportscar performance due to its track-honed handling. Like the Audi TT though, the Nissan 370Z has a characteristic design that is instantly recognizable with a low-sloping coupé roof line. The 370Z comes with a V6 petrol engine that puts out 336 galloping horses and 363Nm of torque. That means it can hit 100kph in a quick six seconds, going all the way up to 250kph. The car is available in both six-manual gearbox and seven-speed automatic gearbox versions.

Mitsubishi Evolution-X (Rs 49.85 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi)
A sportscar with legendary rallying heritage and room for four – that's the Mitsubishi Evolution-X  sportscar for you. The Evolution-X is an extremely focused high-performance car that packs in enough electronic gadgetry to make a NASA spaceship proud, and ensures you have loads of grip even in the most testing conditions on a track or even on a gravel mud road. It scores over the 370Z and the Audi TT in that it can be hustled even over rough terrain, an area where the TTs and 370Zs wouldn't dare attempt having a go. It is this rallying pedigree that makes the Evo-X a heart buy more than a mind buy. For a price tag just shy of Rs 50-lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, you get a 2-liter turbocharged engine delivering 291bhp and 373Nm, to make for a 250kph top speed and an acceleration from standstill to hundred in just over six seconds.

Jay is the editor of indiancarsbikes.in, a motorcycle and cars blog.

Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover introduces new sports car F-Type

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PARIS: Its predecessor is widely agreed to be among the most beautiful sports cars ever made - and on Wednesday Jaguar showed it was trying to go one better than the glory days of the 1960s with the new F-Type.

Tata Motors bought Jaguar Land Rover for $2.3 billion in 2008, betting big that it could revive two venerable British brands that had lost a bit of luster over the decades. The new F-Type, the first Jaguar two-seater in a half-century, is the first major Jaguar design shepherded through by the new owners.

According to zighwheels.com, The Jaguar F-Type will be on offer with a choice of two petrol engines and three power output options. The 3.0-litre supercharged Jaguar V6 engine will be offered in two states of tune, 340PS of power and 380PS of power.

All three engines will be mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that will send power to the rear wheels of the car.

Tata has been a hands-off owner for Jaguar, largely letting its British team to make the major decisions on the car. At Wednesday's unveiling, Tata executives were in the crowd, but it was the Jaguar design director, Ian Callum, who took center stage.

And the designers looked to the past - and the famed E-Type, beloved by aficionados everywhere - to inspire what they clearly hope will be the automaker's future.

``It's just a tremendous challenge today to produce a beautiful car that meets all the world regulations,'' said Philip Porter, a Jaguar historian who has written a book about the E-Type. He hasn't driven the F-Type yet, but likes what he's seen so far. ``It's a combination like the great Jaguars of the past of sculptural styling, great engineering and superb performance.''

And, he added, ``it sounds like a sports car, which is essential.''

Jaguar Land Rover has been a huge part of Tata's recent success. Sales for the second quarter of 2012 rose 30 percent, largely based on growth in the Chinese market. The car goes on sale in spring 2013.

Open day for sportscar fans

Holdcroft Subaru is staging a launch weekend for its new BRZ sports coupe, above, with admission by invitation only today and tomorrow but an open day on Sunday where anyone can visit the showroom in Leek Road and see the pair of demonstration models on display.

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The BRZ has been developed with Toyota and has won universal acclaim for its agile handling and responsiveness.

In addition Holdcroft Subaru will have special offers on an Impreza STi that has been given metallic paint and reduced from its normal list price of £32,995 to £26,995 and will have Subaru's full range of Pro-R accessories that transform owners' cars with a variety of tuning, performance and styling upgrades.

Mike Shotbolt, manager of Holdcroft Subaru, said: "We are having an invitation-only introduction to the BRZ on Friday and Saturday and have contacted Subaru, Mitsubishi Evo and Mazda RX-8 customers, but on Sunday we are opening the doors to everyone."

Jaguar's First Real Sports Car In 38 Years Is A Beast

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There's plenty of doom and gloom at this year's Paris Motor Show, as Europe faces a shrinking auto market. Among the many new conventional cars, meant to assuage customers by offering fuel economy and comfort, there are a few standouts.

Chief among them is the F-Type: Jaguar's long anticipated successor to the iconic E-Type.

The British luxury auto maker formally unveiled the new ride on Wednesday night. Singer Lana Del Rey, tapped as the celebrity face of the F-Type for her sexy but classy image, was on hand to perform the number she wrote for the occasion.

The new F-Type is a big deal for Jaguar, which says it is the first true sports car it has produced since 1974, when the long-hooded E-Type was discontinued, the New York Times reported.

The standard F-Type starts at $69,000; the V8 S at $92,000.

source: http://www.businessinsider.com/jaguars-newly-revealed-f-type-2012-9?op=1#ixzz27mPL7NPi

1933 Duesenberg Sells for $1.65 Million at Austin Auction

The Dan Kruse Austin Hill Country Classic car auction topped $2.89 million in sales during the auction held on Saturday, September 15 in the Palmer Events Center. Car enthusiasts from a five-state area gathered to check out over 150 cars ranging from classics, customs, hot rods, muscle cars and more. This was the first year for the Hill Country Classic to be presented in Austin. A 1933 Duesenberg was the highlight of the show, selling for $1.65 million. The extremely rare Model J “Queen of Diamonds” Franay Sports Berline Sedan was once owned by American socialite Countess Porceerei. Other top sellers were: a 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby selling for $156,600, a 1969 Chevrolet Indy Pace Car at $65,880 and a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette selling for $63,720, all with the buyer’s premium included.  For a complete list of the auction’s results, visit dankruseclassics.com. “We had a fantastic turnout for the Austin Hill Country Classic,” stated Tedra Kruse, of Dan Kruse Classics. “Austin loves classic cars, and our attendance on Saturday proved it. This was the largest crowd we have ever had in the 38 years of conducting the Hill Country Classic. We are already looking forward to being in Austin next year.” Dan Kruse Classics is a San Antonio-based auction house specializing in classic and vintage car auctions. In addition the Austin, they operate sales in Houston and San Antonio. Daniel J. Kruse is a third-generation auctioneer with over 40 years of experience. He has participated in converting billions of dollars in assets through live auctions.  Daniel has been recognized internationally for liquidating collector cars, homes and entertainment memorabilia as well as energy, construction and transportation equipment.  Along with his daughters, Tiffany, Tedra and Tara, every Dan Kruse auction is a family affair. source:http://www.sportscarmarket.com/

PARIS MOTOR SHOW: The Panamera Sport Turismo The First Practical Sports Car For The Family? Porsche

PARIS MOTOR SHOW: The Panamera Sport Turismo The First Practical Sports Car For The Family?

Porsche is Presenting the Panamera Sport Turismo concept car to show how amazingly intelligent and efficient drive technology might look in the design language of tomorrow.

The Sport Turismo unites the next generation hybrid drive with new ideas for an evolutionary, sporty body concept; it combines Porsche performance with comprehensive everyday practicality.

Body: sports appeal and functionality in further developed design

The body concept of the Panamera Sport Turismo is an outlook on a possible Porsche sports car of tomorrow: The overhangs are short, and the boot lid is large – both sporty and functional. The concept car combines the dimensions of a premium vehicle with the interior comfort of the luxury class. The Sport Turismo is 1,990 mm wide, a low 1,401 mm in height and 4,950 mm long. Its direction indicators and sidelights are integrated in C-shaped lighting units – known as C-Blades – mounted in the large air inlets at the front end. Together with four-point LED headlights in an innovative design, they define the front end appearance of the concept car.



The smooth and taut exterior skin is not interrupted by add-on parts – there are no conventional exterior mirrors. In their place, the Sport Turismo has two cameras mounted in the side air outlets whose images are shown on the displays in the cockpit. The rear body has been completely reshaped, yet it retains all of the characteristics of a Porsche. The rear lights in LED technology and the tail-light panel with the "Porsche" badge are sculpted in three dimensions, and the brake light is positioned between the four-point LED rear lights. Forming the roof termination is an adaptive carbon rear spoiler that produces improved downforce.



The new Liquid Metal Blue colour gives the concept car a surface that resembles liquid metal and highlights its contours and design lines more distinctly. The wheels in dual-spoke design have a bi-colour look, and the brake callipers are painted Acid Green. The hub locks of the wheels recall the origins of every Porsche – which is motorsport. "e-hybrid" badges on the sides refer to the car's drive concept, while the name "Sport Turismo" at the rear, Concept car Panamera Sport Turismo 1 framed in the same Acid Green colour, emphasises the car's concept character. The milled aluminium battery housing is mounted under the boot floor, which is made of electrochromatic glass and reveals a view of the energy source illuminated in Acid Green at the press of a button.



"e-hybrid" stands for plug-in hybrid technology from Porsche

The drive technology of the Panamera Sport Turismo completes the next development step towards the plug-in hybrid, symbolised by the "e-hybrid" badge on the front wings. The car's new ability to be charged from the electrical power grid has been combined with even higher performance components. The concept vehicle with its 416 hp (306 kW) of peak system power is designed to be driven in pure electric mode up to a speed of 130 km/h and can cover distances of over 30 km. The Sport Turismo also exhibits impressive fuel economy per the NEDC standard; its combined fuel consumption is less than 3.5 litres per 100 km, while CO2 emissions are under 82 g/km.



The drive system of the Panamera Sport Turismo is an advanced development of the parallel full hybrid that Porsche already implements today in the Panamera S Hybrid and Cayenne S Hybrid. The new electric motor produces about 70 kW (95 hp), which is around twice as much as in today's Porsche hybrid drive, while the three-litre V6 supercharged engine still produces 245 kW (333 hp) here. In their interplay, they accelerate the concept car from zero to 100 km/h in less than six seconds.



Power pack: lithium-ion battery with external charging capability

The electric power pack of the Sport Turismo e-hybrid consists of a lithium-ion battery whose performance is several times that of the nickel-hydride battery currently used in production, although it has practically the same dimensions. Its 9.4 Kilowatt-hours of energy storage capacity and high peak power enable faster acceleration, longer electric driving range and higher speeds when driving without the internal combustion engine.



The default operating mode of the e-hybrid prioritises all-electric driving, but the driver may deactivate this by pressing a special button on the steering wheel. In addition, when the car is being operated in hybrid mode the driver can select the e-charge mode by pressing the steering wheel button to intentionally intensify charging of the high-voltage battery.

This is especially useful when one section of the driving route on a motorway is followed by a section through a city that should be driven in pure electric mode without local emissions. In the e-charge mode, the internal combustion engine charges the battery by load point shifting, while satisfying rational energy management criteria.



As a plug-in hybrid, the fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery is not only charged while driving; it can also be externally charged within 2.5 hours (depending on the power supply) via a charging interface on the vehicle. Porsche systematically thought through all aspects of the concept car's plug-in system; it utilises a universal charger (AC) that is wall-mounted in a home garage and has a standardised charging plug.

Familiar and yet completely new: touch displays for instruments and controls

The interior of the Sport Turismo is a forward-looking interpretation of purist sports car thinking: as little as possible and as much as necessary. Instead of classic instruments, a large central TFT colour display is positioned in front of the driver; it is used to call up and display any vehicle information as needed – from the tachometer to driving data or navigation. Two monitors, one to the left and one to the right of this display, show images from the "exterior mirror" cameras. Two additional displays in tube form provide information on the hybrid-specific driving states, e.g. pure electric driving, as well as other functions. The power meter in the instrument panel illuminates in Acid Green and shows the combined system power of the two drives.



A press on the touch-sensitive colour display starts the e-hybrid. Naturally, on the side that is typical of a Porsche: the left side. A completely new type of touch display in the ascending centre console incorporates additional controls; this is the control centre for the e-hybrid and all other functions that is implemented in black panel technology. It offers the driver the option of influencing the hybrid drive via smart keys to choose maximum driving fun, Concept car Panamera Sport Turismo 3 maximum performance or maximum efficiency. All driving indicators and control functions are also intuitively operated by multi-touch functionality, such as automatic climate control, seat adjustment, lights, reversing camera and the functions of Porsche Communication Management (PCM).



Wide-ranging communications and control via smart phone app

The Panamera Sport Turismo gives the driver entirely new options for customised communications. The driver can use mobile online services to access and control all key vehicle information with a smart phone app. Charge control by mobile phone shows the user just how much electricity the battery has already stored at any given time and predicts how much more time the charging process will take. In addition, there is a charging timer with user-defined charging times. Moreover, the vehicle's interior can also be preconditioned by mobile phone, e.g. by turning on the air conditioner, and the vehicle will already be at the right temperature before driving with electricity supplied from a household electrical outlet.



Specifications Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
Body: Sport Turismo with four individual seats, four doors and boot lid.

Drive system: Parallel full hybrid; 3-litre V6 engine, charged; hybrid module with electric motor and disengagement clutch; rear-wheel drive.

Power: 245 kW (333 hp) V6 engine
approx. 70 kW (95 hp) hybrid module
306 kW (416 hp) (combined peak power)

Suspension: Double wishbone front suspension; electo-mechanical power steering; multi-link rear suspension.

Dimensions: Length
Width
Height 4,950 mm
1,990 mm
1,401 mm

Energy supply: Lithium-ion battery with 9.4 kWh capacity and plug-in charging system compatible with electrical power grid.

Performance: Top speed, pure electric mode approx. 130 km/h

Acceleration: 0 – 100 km/h < 6.0 s

Consumption (NEDC): Combined < 3.5 l/100 km

CO2 emissions: Combined < 82 g/km

Range (NEDC): Pure electric mode: > 30 km

Charging time: up to 2.5 h

Report: Renault Alpine sports car moves closer to launching

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The Alpine sports car brand is one step closer to revival with new progress made in a deal with a co-operating partner.

While chief operating officer Carlos Tavares says that an official announcement may be made at the Paris Motor Show this week, Renault has offered up a few details ahead.

The partner is said to be launching a model that shares the Alpine’s chassis while using its own tuning and design.

Renault says it is seeking a partner with big pockets to ensure its engineers can produce the best car possible, which is, so far what Tavares has dubbed “the A110 of the 21st century”. The only detail of which he offered up is that is will likely be mid- or rear-engined and sit low to the ground. “The platform layout is now finished, and we have been working hard on the styling. The proportions look pretty good,” he says.

He refreshingly adds, “Convenience is an important part of modern packaging,” Tavares says, “but we are not inclined to compromise too much. This is a car that must appeal to the emotions. If you refine such a car too much, it loses its special character.”

Don’t expect an update of the DeZir concept that debuted earlier this year, as Alpine says it hasn’t used it much as an inspiration for the next model.

source:http://www.egmcartech.com

BMW Interested In Mini SUV & Sports Car

According to reports, BMW is considering expansion of the Mini brand. The British brand currently consists of seven models, including the recently announced Mini Cooper Paceman. But all Mini are quintessentially the same, all modifications of the Mini Cooper hatchback design. But the Bavarian auto giant wants to add an SUV, a sports car and a sedan to the Mini lineup, taking the count up to ten.
“Recently appointed Mini brand board member Harald Kreuger says that these models have yet to be decided upon, and that a Mini smaller than the regular hatchback is also a consideration. This idea has already been explored with the 2011 Rocketman concept, although this particular smaller Mini has been abandoned because it was too costly to make, and the challenge of building a more compact, profitable Mini may yet prove insurmountable.”, reports Inside Line.
New models would allow the Mini brand to make its presence felt in different segment, whereas currently it is only limited to hatchbacks and crossovers. A Mini sports coupe would be similar to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, not in terms design but in terms of being compact and affordability. A Mini sedan would is expected to be popular in China, where Mini already has a strong presence. And finally, an SUV would complete the picture, since Mini already offers a crossover or compact SUV in the form of the Countryman model. However, it should also be noted here that, bring out an SUV model and a full size sedan would essentially mean drifting away from the “Mini” tag, as this would be larger than anything Mini has ever produced.
“A lot of customers would like to stay with the brand when they need something bigger,” says Kreuger, “and a Volvo or a BMW will not do.” All Minis will have “go-kart handling, emotional design, exude Britishness and be profitable,” he adds.
Future Mini models will also be get a new platform and a new 1.5 liter three-cylinder engine, which they will share with the first ever BMW front-wheel-drive model that will debut at next week’s Paris Auto Show.

2013 Audi A1 Quattro by ABT Sportsline

General production Audi models aren’t the only cars that ABT Sportsline loves to tune. Turns out, they’ve set their eyes on limited edition models too, including the A1 Quattro.

As stunning as the car is to look at it, ABT Sportsline left any kind of improvements on the A1 Quattro’s looks alone. What they did was take the car’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and tweak it to give the sports hatchback an increased output without having to compromise on the car’s fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

After going under the ABT Sportsline knife, the A1 Quattro’s output has been spiked from the standard 256 horsepower and 258 lb/ft of torque figures all the way up to 307 horsepower and 295 lb/ft of torque. The improved output nets a faster 0-62 mph time of 5.4 seconds, as opposed to the standard model’s 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

Talk about giving more reason to fall in love with the A1 Quattro, ABT Sportsline has one for us.

2005 - 2013 Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard by TOPCAR

2005 - 2013 Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard by TOPCAR

TOPCAR has popped back into the TopSpeed offices, straight out of Russia, with an all-new bespoke vehicle. Last time we caught up with our Russian custom car friends they were getting their Panamera Stingray 9/25 ready for the 2012 Moscow International Automobile Salon. Now they have delivered us a little more comfort and loads of safety with their Guard upgrade kit for the 2005 through 2013 Mercedes-Benz S600.

TOPCAR began by stripping this S600 down and adding in bullet-proof glass and paneling to keep its occupants safe. While the armoring is cool and likely costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, we are interested mostly in what the armor is protecting. No, not the occupants, we are talking about that gorgeous interior!

The entire interior covering has been removed and replaced from headliner to floor – yeah, we said the floor too – with an elegant blend of lozenge-textured crocodile, Nappa, and Alcantara leather. Sure, using crocodile leather isn’t the most PETA-friendly thing in the world, but when you have the roughly $100K that TOPCAR put into the interior, you can tell PETA to go save a squirrel. Plus, we’re pretty sure their presence in Russia is nearly non-existent.

The crocodile leather wraps up the seats, doors, dashboard, and floor. Gracing the luggage compartment is diamond-quilted Nappa leather, making a comfortable ride for your golf clubs or whatever else you like to stick in your trunk. With our contact at TOPCAR volunteering that sometimes the term “crazy Russian” is justified, we will leave the other trunk-dwelling objects to your imagination.

You also get a huge amount of custom Karelian birch wood trim to set off all of this beautifully crafted leather. To wrap up the package, TOPCAR replaced all of the Benz’s lowly chrome trim with gold-covered pieces. I mean, you can never rock crocodile leather with chrome trim after Labor Day, right?

“Wow” just about sums up this car. When it comes to tiptoeing the line between fantastically gorgeous and horrendously overdone, TOPCAR toed that line with the expertise we expected. Awesome job!

2014 Jaguar F-Type Sights And Sounds In New Video

HI-RES GALLERY: Jaguar F-Type leaked image

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An un-camouflaged photo of the upcoming 2014 Jaguar F-Type leaked onto the web ahead of its debut at the Paris Auto Show next week, but that hasn't spoiled the fun. If anything, it has us more excited for the car. This video adds to the excitement.

The sounds of the F-Type as it flies around the track are brilliant, and as the test drivers slide the car, it looks surprisingly composed and level--hinting that this Jag might be more concerned with sport (and perhaps a bit less with silky-smooth ride quality) than most.

Whatever you take away from this video, however, it's clear that the least-expensive Jaguar is going to be one of the sportiest, too.