More pre-Frankfurt goodies... this time from Mercedes/Smart steroidist Brabus. First the Ultimate 112 is a tarted up Smart ForTwo with a sportier suspension, 18" wheels, an up-luxed leather interior, and Carrot-from-Chernobyl paint. The 112 denotes both the limited quantity of production, and the power output in PS from it's modified turbo 3-cylinder. 112PS is about 110bhp, and just fine for your average blang'd out dork buggy, but a little shy for one that costs 49,000 Euro...
Remember the Brabus Rocket, the fastest sedan ever, capable of 225.18 mph? Meet the C-Class based Bullit. Basically the Rocket's engine (all 730 biturbo'ed vee-twelvey bhp of it) wrapped in less 225mph-tree-impact-absorbing-metal. You also get scoopies galore, reupholstered interior (including swanky quilted leather floor) and the de rigeur alloys. For consistency, they might as well drop this engine in the Smart and the S-Class while they're at it. Call 'em the Spitball and the ICBM...[Source: WorldCarFans, NetCarShow]
Today we get a little more info on Saab's upcoming Turbo X version of the 9-3. This car will be the debut of sorts for the new XWD system, even though you'll be able to get it on regular 9-3 Aeros eventually. Saab is in a pretty meager state of affairs right now, but those who've sampled this new all-wheel drive system are pretty taken by it, claiming that it effectively quells the significant understeer common to this chassis. The standout feature being an electronically controlled limited-slip differential fitted at the rear that properly distributes torque to the outside wheel in corners, similar in effect to Acura's highly praised SH-AWD. The 2.8L turbocharged V6 that's been around for a year or so has already proven itself a strong performer. It was even chosen as one of Ward's Ten Best Engines of 2006 (a honor shared by my GTI's FSI Turbo 4-blaster btw;) The new drivetrain looks promising so hopefully they've finally gotten it right. The only botch I see is that the US market Turbo X won't be available with the attractively distinctive 19" alloys fitted to the car pictured below. We instead get undoubtedly dumber 18s. I've always had a soft spot for the 9-3... in particular the slick Sportcombi wagon. There's something cool about Saab, even if the 9-3 is this only Saab that has it. The archaic 9-5 is a turd that needs to be flushed, and the 9-7x... well, who cares. The 9-3 so far has never really stacked up well against its competitors on paper, or the road. Still, every time I sit in one I want it a little bit. Or maybe I just want to want it. Like I said, I'm rooting for them...[Source: TrollhattanSaab.net via Autoblog]
The highly anticipated super-ultra-über-Vette has a name, and it's not SS or Blue Devil. It's ZR-1. I'm quite surprised nobody saw this coming, but it's plenty cool if you ask me. Loosey-goosey chassis notwithstanding, I always thought the C4 ZR-1 was pretty special with it's Lotus engineered aluminum block DOHC LT5 V8. That cutting edge 400bhp powerplant stood in my mind as a shining mechanical jewel amongst the rest of the (pardon my truth) CRAP that GM was peddling some 17 years ago. The new one, if you don't already know, will be sporting a supercharged version of the 6.2L LS3 (not the 7.0L Z06 V8) purging forth at least a half-dozen hundred horsepower. Significant weight savings will be accomplished through the use of various carbon fiber exterior panels. Also, it will be damn near close to $100,000. If you have the cash to get one, you might as well sink some of it into Goodyear stock. The rear end of this sucker will consume more rubber per capita than Canada.[Source: Autoblog, Popular Mechanics]
With the Frankfurt International Auto Show just days away, juicy new info on all the freshest metal is pouring constantly into our clutches. Today we have the redesigned Mazda 6 and I must say, it's a stunner. The style and detailing of this car, inside and out, exude a high-end allure until now absent from this segment. It's easy to see inspiration, or at least the resemblance of a little MB CL in the front end, a dash of Lexus IS350 in the flanks and C-pillar, and even a hint of Chrysler Sebring in the taillights (the Mazda's being infinitely superior in execution). The overall effect is dynamic and elegant at the same time, and it looks expensive. This car will feature a new 3.5L V6, undoubtedly a version of the engine offered across the range in Ford's 2008 lineup... and word is that it's a powerful, refined piece that thankfully, requires only regular gas. If all this weren't good enough, Mazda went to the trouble of making this car lighter and more fuel efficient than its predecessor... something that the industry is just now starting to see the urgent need for. It even emits less harmful pollutants. For all its slick beauty and premium touches, the new 6 should come in at a price comparable to the Accord and Camry... two cars that when parked next to this one, will be all but invisible.[Source: Autoblog]
I love hot wagons. Pity then that the US market isn't worthy of their charms. The freshest face to enter the small niche is MB's C63 AMG. You get everything that makes the sedan worthwhile (457 bhp V8/newly blippy downshifting Speedshift 7G-Tronic/and re-engineered front suspension) plus a ton more room for all that junk you insist on carrying with you. All the extra room costs you is a tenth to 60... and probably a couple thousand clams. This goes on my if-i-were-rich-and-moved-to-Europe shortlist right under the Audi RS4 Avant. [Source: Autoblog, rsportscars.com]
