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Gilding the Italian Lily: Edo Supertunes the Maserati MC12

Date posted: 04-21-2006

AHLEN,
Germany — Edo Competition, which specializes in high-performance
Porsches (not to mention Ferraris and Lamborghinis), has created a
super-fast edition of the Maserati MC12  for a wealthy Russian enthusiast.

Owner Edo Karabegovic managed to squeeze 700 horsepower out of the
12-cylinder engine, after modifying the valvetrain, induction and
exhaust systems and the engine electronics. The gearbox also has been
beefed up to handle the additional torque. Testing at Hockenheim
produced track speeds in excess of 230 mph.

Edo fitted bigger brakes with ceramic discs, as well as a fully
adjustable suspension, and replaced the stock Pirellis with
Bridgestones. The tuning house also applied faired-in headlamps and an
attention-getting paint scheme.

For more information, check out Edo’s Web site.

Tiger Woods is used to
long, commanding drives– in fact, one could say he’s made a habit of them. But the PGA’s biggest star is set to trade
in his golf clubs for a dirt oval stock car — and in New Zealand, of all places.

The Buick spokesman will dice
it up with other celebrities (including professional racers and his own caddy, in a 12-lap charity race where bumping
and grinding is apparently the order of the day.

Tiger will suit up and strap in next Monday at Huntly
Placemakers Speedway, and the race will raise money for the Steve Williams Foundation, an organization that helps
give impoverished youth the opportunity to pursue their sporting joneses.

Mercedes-Benz Introduces AMG Sport Package for New E-Class

AFFALTERBACH, Germany — Mercedes-Benz  introduced an AMG sport package for the E-Class sedan and wagon
that it says will debut in June for all versions of its six- and
eight-cylinder models. The package is priced from $5,667 to $6,593.

The package includes an AMG front apron with large air inlets and
chrome-ringed oval foglamps, along with an AMG rear apron featuring two
oval AMG exhaust tailpipes. Also included are new rear silencers that
provide a sportier engine note, and sterling-silver-painted 18-inch AMG
light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design. Exterior changes include
silver-painted front brake calipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering. The
package also features sporty suspension tuning.

In the cabin, the AMG package features sport seats covered in "Artico
man-made leather" with contrasting double top-stitching, an AMG
ergonomic steering wheel with shift paddles, stainless steel pedals
with black rubber studs, and velour floormats with AMG lettering.

Mazda beefs up build-to-order Web-Tuned Roadster

Little known outside of Japan is the fact that you can design a build-to-order Mazda online and see you custom
creation through to purchase without ever leaving your chair. Mazda’s Web Tune
Factory has been up and running since 2001 and the newest addition to the lineup of 22 available vehicles is the
Web Tuned Roaster that’s based on the MX-5.

Though one can access the Web Tune Factory from anywhere
in the world, Mazda adds the caveat that the cars can’t be exported. That’s just as well since the site is
only available in Japanese. We pimped out a new Web Tuned Roadster with every available option we could find, including
a ¥54,600 ($463 US) car seat for the little kiddo in your life. Not being able to read the strange eastern
hieroglyph, we simply chose whatever was most expensive. After the build you get a snapshot of your one-of-a-kind whip
in a decidedly awkward setting (ours looks like it landed in Germany). Still, spending millions of virtual yen is
always a fun way to while away the work hours.

Time flies with a Tag Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz watch

The old cliché “Time flies when you’re having fun” would easily apply to the Tag Heuer
SLR for Mercedes-Benz automatic chronograph. So would “Time is money”. The new timepiece features
push-pieces arranged at 45-degree angle to the dial and embeded next to the case. It’s a more flush arrangement
than your average chronograph, and this one’s got a strap made out of crock skin. Only 3500 examples of this
auto-inspired Tag Heuer will be produced, just like the SLR McLaren. The price? €3300 Euro or $4000 US. At price
per pound, the SLR McLaren might be the better deal here.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Limited Edition: an exceptional timekeeper exclusive to the SLR McLaren:
New “TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz” automatic chronograph

Stuttgart, Mar 30, 2006
The “TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz” automatic chronograph is today celebrating its world premiere at
the “Baselworld” trade fair. This exceptional timekeeper is the latest product from a long and successful
partner-ship between Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH and TAG Heuer. This exclusive chronograph combines the art of
classic watchmaking with sophisticated design and innovation in a truly fascinating manner. Production of this
time-piece is restricted to 3500 units, the same limited edition as the super sports car.
This watch for the Gran
Turismo of the 21st century occupies a unique place in the TAG Heuer range of avantgarde chronographs. This masterpiece
echoes stylistic features of the first chronograph for the SLR, but then goes on to redefine the interplay of classic
and modern elements.

Perfection in function and wearer comfort

The power source of the “TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz” is the calibre TH 17. It has an automatic
winding mechanism operated by a central rotor as well as chronograph and date functions. To enhance its operational
ergonomics, the chronograph push-pieces are arranged at an angle of 45%uF0B0 to the dial face instead of on the side of
the case, placing them directly beside the outer bezel. TAG Heuer holds the patent on this watchmaking refinement. The
dial has three subsidiary dials whose hands display the continuously measured small seconds, minutes and hours for the
chronograph. A rhodium-plated ring enables the minutes and small seconds displays to stand out clearly from the black
dial. Another special feature of the TAG Heuer SLR chronograph is the internal bezel with its 60-minute gradation. It
can be rotated using the second crown beside the 9 o’clock position. This makes operations such as rapid countdown with
the minutes hand possible. What makes this watch so comfortable to wear is the crocodile skin strap, cleverly integrated
into the case. The SLR logo is engraved into the safety clasp as well as into the tachymeter scale. The words
“Mercedes-Benz” appear on the dial below the 12 o’clock position, just above the emblematic TAG Heuer
logo.

The limited edition “TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz” automatic chronograph will be
available through specialist retailers from April 2006. The sales price in Germany, including VAT, will be € 3300.

They used to be concepts; now they’re prototypes. We’re talking about
the 2008 Lexus LF-A and its archrival, the 2008 Nissan GT-R. For years
these Japanese sports cars churned through the rumor mill along with
Japan’s other supercar, the Acura NSX. Nissan started things off with the first GT-R concept in 2001. Then in January of 2005, Lexus rolled out the LF-A concept  and the race was on to see which Japanese manufacturer would be first to market with a true Porsche 911  killer. Nissan followed up in October with the GT-R concept
in Tokyo while Honda officially confirmed its intent to build a
successor to the long-running NSX sometime in the next few years.

Not long after the debut of the LF-A, we caught footage of a prototype
on Germany’s Nürburgring test track. It was covered from nose to tail,
with no clear signs of the production design underneath.

Our latest spy photos of a similar prototype on the same track reveal a
few more details than before. Up front you can clearly see the
detailing of the headlights. With their amber marker lights and single
projector beam in the middle, the clusters are significantly different
from those of the concept. Other revisions worth noting are the three
large air intakes and F1-inspired front air dam.

In profile this LF-A prototype doesn’t reveal much more than before.
You can see the actual body panels this time around, but there’s not
much in the way of character lines other than a slightly swept-back
B-pillar, yet another change to the concept. The flat shoulder panels
and side air intakes look as though they’ll make it through to
production as well. In back, the center-mounted exhaust pipes remain
along with the thin taillights and twin-tunnel diffuser.

Around the same time of the Lexus test, a less production-ready
prototype of Infiniti’s GT-R sports car was also caught at the
Nürburgring. Unlike the Lexus, the GT-R prototype wore a current G35
shell, but with its patchwork body panels and huge quad tailpipes, it
was pretty obvious there was more than your run-of-the-mill VQ
six-cylinder under the hood.

Most rumors suggest power will come from a 4.5-liter, twin-turbocharged
version of Nissan’s V6, a combination of displacement and boost that
should be good for around 450 horsepower. With Lexus hinting at around
500 hp from the LF-A’s V10, Nissan is going to have to generate at
least that much to stay competitive.

Like its GT-R predecessors, the 2008 GT-R is expected to use all-wheel
drive to put the power down. Acura is expected to do the same with the
NSX while the Lexus LF-A will most likely stick with rear-wheel drive.

When we’ll see these cars in showrooms is still hard to pin down. We
expect the Lexus will probably come first with a production model
possible late next year. Nissan is expected to show the final version
of the GT-R at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, but sales probably won’t
start in the U.S. until mid-2008.

From the official Press Release:

The first  Caparo T1 prototype  will be unveiled at the  Top Marques show in Monaco by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II.

The
presentation will be witnessed by Angad Paul chief executive of Caparo
plc together with Caparo Vehicle Technologies’ design director Ben
Scott-Geddes and engineering director Graham Halstead, the two
ex-McLaren engineers whose inspiration helped create the car.

The
ultra lightweight T1, which weighs less than 500kg, is a British
designed 2-seater which has been developed using aerospace and high
formula racing technology. The compact V8 engine develops approximately
500 hp and the resultant 1,000 hp-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio
enables the T1 to accelerate form 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds and
to from 0 to 100 mph in less than 10 seconds making it the world’s
fastest accelerating and braking road car.

It is also fast
round corners with 3g braking and cornering ability equivalent to a Le
Mans Prototype. The T1’s high power-to-weight ratio delivers phenomenal
performance on the track. Similarly, the same principles of lightweight
design in a car one-third the weight of the average family saloon
combined with a normal 15 gallon (70-litre) fuel tank means a range
better than the average car of up to 500 miles (800km) on public
highways.

Commenting on the mould-breaking Caparo T1 Angad Paul said: "This
car is in a class of its own when it comes to overall performance; but
it also addresses in the most dramatic way possible fundamental design
issues facing the automotive industry today. The same approach to
aerodynamics, choice of materials and efficient design, which have
allowed us to achieve the world’s most reasonably priced supercar, can
be applied in equal measure to create affordable, safe, yet
lightweight, fuel-efficient family cars."

This will be
the first time that Caparo Vehicle Technologies has exhibited at any
event. The stunning T1 was created to demonstrate the company’s ability
to design and manufacture the world’s first 1,000bhp-per-tonne road and
track car, whose performance is close to that of a formula one racer.
More than a concept, this ultra high performance car is designed for low volume production
to underscore the company’s technical know-how and competence in whole
vehicle design. With deposits already being taken the hand built car
will be available to the first customers later this year.

Event director Robert Evans said: "We
are delighted to welcome the Caparo T1 to the Top Marques show in
Monaco where up to 10,000 high net worth collectors and enthusiasts,
together with 120 journalists and television crews from around the
world, will view an amazing mix of luxury cars and rare supercars at
this prestigious motoring event. The T1 is a truly exceptional car and
its groundbreaking approach will appeal not only to our VIP visitors
but also mainstream automotive engineers facing the enormous challenge
of how to stop cars from getting heavier and heavier with each new
generation."

Caparo has confirmed that it will present
the T1 prototype for the duration of the show, which runs from Thursday
20 April to Sunday 23 April 2006 in the week following Easter. Some of
the most exclusive car brands in the world will feature at the show
with manufacturers present from around the globe.As well as opening the
show and unveiling the Caparo T1, Prince Albert will officially bestow
his high patronage by hosting a gala dinner for 450 wealthy, titled and
influential VIPs where a substantial amount of the proceeds will be
donated to some of the Prince’s charities.

About Caparo Group

The
group was founded in 1968 by British Asian industrialist and Labour
peer Lord Swraj Paul who was part of the board of Olympics that helped
win the bid to host the Games in Britain in 2012. As chief executive,
his son Angad Paul, continues to focus on the same strategy for growth,
achieved through the acquisition and turnaround of existing businesses
and by the organic growth and development of Greenfield start-up
projects, which underpins the group’s skill at building innovative
technology companies from scratch and penetrating export markets.

In
March 2006 the group announced its advanced automotive technology and
engineering design company called Caparo Vehicle Technologies. The new
company will provide advanced technology development, materials
engineering and design services to mainstream automotive, motorsport
and aerospace markets. Coupled with its global manufacturing resource
and capability Caparo aims to accelerate the use of lightweight
materials in vehicle structures.To launch the company Caparo acquired
the automotive consultancy established by Ben Scott-Geddes and Graham
Halstead. Both engineers were part of the team that developed the
iconic McLaren F1. Their automotive engineering skills have spawned the
impressive T1, which will now be launched as the Caparo T1.