Roush Ford F-150 Nitemare 445hp

With the introduction of the 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150 there are destined to be plenty of other pickup drivers having nightmares about this limited-to-100 edition hauler after watching it blow by them on roads across America.

The 2007 ROUSH Nitemare is a menacing tone-on-tone, 445-horsepower beast. Based on the standard cab version of the F-150, the power-to-weight ratio will ensure that this monster has plenty of haul.

Under the hood is the famous ROUSHcharger* which boosts the 5.4L, 3 valve engine to 445-horsepower and 500 lb-ft. of torque. Additional "go fast" components include intake manifolds, intercooler, radiator, and air induction system. This unit, like all the ROUSH components from a company so highly recognized for producing power, quality and performance, is covered by ROUSH's industry exclusive 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

The ROUSH Nitemare will be offered exclusively in black for the 2007 model which is limited to just 100 units, each striped with a matte black design to further accent the ominous look. A ROUSH front chin spoiler and black aluminum billet grille complete the exterior styling, but the addition of the ROUSH dual rear exit exhaust system gives this truck the growl expected from such a beast.

To further the performance of the ROUSH Nitemare, the Livonia, Mich.-based technicians install a Ford limited slip 3.73 rear axle and have increased the electronically-controlled speed limiter to 105 mph.

Sliding into the cockpit, the ROUSH Nitemare logo is embroidered into the ROUSH custom leather seats, and is on the black ROUSH instrument cluster, where it will appropriately be lit up in red in the dark. ROUSH Nitemare embroidered floor mats, a black dash trim kit, and ROUSH billet aluminum pedals help to complete the styling.

Only a handful of options are available on the limited edition ROUSH Nitemare, including a rear wing, hood scoop, locking lug nuts and GPS system. The ROUSH sport suspension system which lowers the truck two inches in the front and three in the rear is sure to be a popular addition to this performance vehicle. This complete kit includes ROUSH-engineered front coil springs, rear leaf springs, front sway bar and specially-valved shocks. For more information

Available exclusively in a regular cab 4x2 Styleside model, the 2007 ROUSH Nitemare has a suggested retail of $41,750 and is expected to be available at ROUSH-authorized Ford dealers starting in June. Each will carry a blacked-out ROUSH Nitemare fender and tailgate badges, and a unique serial number badge stating which number of the 100 that truck is.

Based in Livonia, Mich., "The Art of Performance Engineering" takes place at ROUSH Performance. In addition to the array of Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.

Sportec Modifies the Audi S3

The Swiss tuner Sportec has taken the compact Audi S3 under its wing - which in its standard version already is a quite agile machine. The engine, exhaust and chassis components newly tuned by Sportec make the Audi a bit faster (165 mph top speed) while the gained performance excites the appetite to literally devour the tarmac during spontaneous bursts of speed.

The 2.0 L TFSI engine – already ex works a quite powerful one – produces in its standard version 265 bhp and a torque of 256 lb-ft. Thanks to its turbo technology, the powertrain offers the ideal possibilities to elicit a steady performance peak from the S3 by means of software modifications. Thus, after having been remodeled by Sportec, the Audi S3 comes up with such remarkable values as 300 bhp and 303 lb-ft, catapulting the S3 to 165 mph. With respect to the sprint from 0 to 60 mph, Sportec-modified S3 needs only 4.9 seconds – about a second faster than its series brother.

Take a look at these figures, and you get an idea of why, to any enthusiastic driver, a trip to the renowned Swiss tuner Sportec is equal to a pilgrimage. Costing 1400 Euros, assembly included, this performance boost is still affordable while the optional all-inclusive warranty guarantees the necessary security for everyday use.

The fact that, apart from such sporty genes, environmental awareness and increasing fuel prices were far from being neglected will rejoice the critics – as a matter of fact, the Sportec Audi S3 consumes about the same amount of fuel as the standard version. The marvelous sound is provided by the Sportec stainless steel exhaust system extending from the catalyst. In order to assure that such powers find their way safely to the tarmac, Sportec offers the exclusive 8.5 x 18 and 8.5 x 19 inch aluminum wheels Mono 10 with 225/40 ZR18 or 235/35 ZR19 Pneus. For an extra charge of 4900 Euros, the Sportec sport brake system’s luxuriant discs will rotate beneath. Uncompromisingly sporty driving characteristics as well as lesser sidewise inclination are assured by the optional coil-over suspension or by the spring set. This will not only improve the dynamics during high speed cornering, but also the visual dynamics.

The finishing touch is added by the aluminum pedals and footrest and the optional Alcantara interior equipment. To ensure that the gears will slide with Swiss precision into their place, Sportec offers a short throw shifter, assembly included – the cherry on top.

Mi2 Wheel for the MINI

Dark shoulders, muscular body: the new Mi2 one-piece alloy wheels from AC Schnitzer are the ideal companion for both generations of Mini. One, Cooper or Cooper S, hard top or convertible.

Four pairs of straight spokes in V-shaped groupings suggest a sophisticated mixture of racing flair and luxury. The original bicolor finish, achieved by the inner hub painted black up to the polished rim, adds a dash of daring. Qualities which caracterised even the first MINIs at the end of the 50s. Where the original design had to settle for 10′’ and later 12′’ wheels, AC Schnitzer offers the Mi2 wheels in a size of 7.5x18′’ offset 50 which is more in keeping with the latest Mini and which perfectly fills the wheelarch.

Naturally the new Mi2 BiColor wheel generation fits the current and the new MINI vehicles, and is available immediately in size 7.5J x 18" offset 50. For tyres, we recommend high performance tyres from Continental and Michelin in size 215/35 R 18 or optionally in 205/40 R 18.

JE Design Seat Leon Cupra

While the "old" Seat Leon Cupra R (Typ 1M) has differed through its sporty and independent front and rear aprons from the Leon-vesions with less power, the new „CUPRA" threatens the driver into danger of confusion.

The SEAT specialist JE DESIGN recognised this and offers help in form of an individualized grand entrance. Specially developed for the CUPRA from the Leingarten, Germany, based tuners, is a downforcer insert for the centre of the series-produced front apron and which at the same time minimizes buoyancy. The same function is fulfilled with a diffuser insert that is applied to the series-produced rear apron. More sportiness is procured through a new front grille minus Logo including grid insert. Headlight covers gives the Spanish car a serious glance.

Sporty front spoiler corners complete with additional air channels provide the JE DESIGNed Leon CUPRA with more passing-lane prestige. The sides are optimised with a side sills set through JE DESIGN. The tuners create another attractive addition through the rear apron set. Last but not least a rear wing provides more downforce on the rear axle especially during higher speeds. Furthermore, a self-adhering JE DESIGN roof fin "Shark attack" is available in black matt.

For an extra charge, JE DESIGN laminates individual parts for example the radiator grill or mirror cover in Carbon-Look.

Pure Performance!

The core of modification is the performance increase of the 2.0 T-FSI Motor . Instead of just 177 kW (240 HP), it now renders an attention getting value of 210 kW (285 HP). The torque increases from 85 to 385 Nm. The change in motor management creates a better driving performance: 261 km/h top speed (series-produced: 247 km/h) and 5,9 seconds from 0 to 100 (series-produced: 6,4) placing pressure on many other sports cars. For that reason, JE DESIGN Leon „CUPRA" with its 250 km/h easily shakes off the electronic regular BMW M5 and Audi RS4. The power enhancement comes with TÜV parts endorsement. Included in the price is a 1-year guarantee on motor, transmission and gearbox. On request for additional price is the possibility to add a further year of guarantee.

Whoever wants acustical improvement for their Leon CUPRA, can order a 4-pipe end exhaust made of stainless steel with chromed end pipes additionally. This promises not only a sonor sound, but also optimises the motor performance through optimized exhaust flow.

JE DESIGN's wheel expertise

Four wheel sets are provided for customer choice. A highpoint offered in 18 and 19-inch is the complete wheel set „Multispoke" in chrome-look with the sizes of 8.0 x 19 ET 45 with tires 225/35 R 19 Y.

Optionally, the complete wheel set „Multispoke" can be ordered in matt black with polished rim flange in dimensions 7.5 x 18" ET 45 or 8 x 19" ET 45.

The Leon CUPRA of this press release - please take a look at the provided pictures (on CD) - rolls on wheel rims in sporty matt black with lacquered nearly complete white ring having a small gap tha includes the JE DESIGN logo.

JE DESIGN concerns itself that the Seat Leon power doesn't toss itself from the street. For this reason, a sporty spring set brings the Leon CUPRA approx. 30mm closer to the street, lowering the center of gravity for clearly improved handling and driving ability. Alternatively, the tuners offer a sportier driving performance through a coilover suspension that alters the fiery Spaniard providing a freedom from street between 35 and 65 mm.

A further technical as well as optically pleasing configuration level of the CUPRA with over 300 HP in a wide body version is currently in preparation for a world exclusive presentation at the SEAT Event from 24 - 26 August 2007 at the Technik Museum in Speyer, Germany.

RENNtech Mercedes-Benz S600 Armored 640hp

Six-hundred and forty horsepower. As enthusiasts, we tend to think of a car that packs that kind of heat in terms of how much trouble it can get us into. If you're Chris Pecalevski, you tend to think of these things a bit differently.

"We're in the business of protecting our clients," explains Pecalevski, "and that means we have to be ready for anything." Pecalevski is the Director of Business Development at INKAS Armored, a company known for building vehicles as safe secure as bank vaults ... and bank vaults, actually.

INKAS began building armored vehicles in 1993, and the company's unique material alloys and systematic approach to threat assessment quickly earned them an impressive client list, which includes numerous high-profile executives, celebrities, entertainers, European banks, and the US and Canadian militaries - and when INKAS applied their "total solution" approach to the security needs of private individuals, their reputation followed them. The results were well-engineered and almost totally invisible armored vehicles. Still, INKAS realized that, sometimes, the only way to win some fights is to walk away.

Or, more to the point, to *get* away.

Enter RENNtech, and Hartmut Feyhl. "No matter how much armor you have," explains Feyhl, "armor just buys you time to escape. You can't just sit there waiting for the bad guys to run out of bullets - and a thousand pounds of armor doesn't make it any easier to outrun the bad guys, either."

Feyhl, who started RENNtech in 1989 after being named technical director of AMG North America, knows a thing or two about getting a big Mercedes out of its own way - and when INKAS’ attention turned to Mercedes' S class (in this case, the S600) it seemed natural to involve RENNtech.

"We looked at the situation together, with the idea that, if you or your family are in danger, you really have only a few seconds to escape," offers Feyhl, "any car could benefit from tuning in that situation, of course - but an armored car especially. It needs more power and better cooling to accelerate away from danger, and better brakes and suspension to handle that extra weight during cornering and defensive driving maneuvers."

With that in mind, RENNtech took INKAS' S600 and beefed up the brakes, employing RENNtech's 15.2" two-piece front and 14" rear brake package, adding stainless steel-braided brake lines to improve feel and reduce fade. Under the hood, RENNtech's ECU software, carbon-fiber airbox, and intercooler pump upgrades keep the temperature cool and the turbos on "boil", building 640 hp and over 775 lb-ft of torque.

To that, INKAS adds level NIJ Level IV armoring capable of taking close-range Armor Piercing bullet fire, run-flat performance tires, and proprietary armored panels and ballistic glass compounds all previously tested by authorized test labs.

The result is impressive - and almost invisible. "You can not tell if you are looking at the vehicle from the outside, its when you open the doors you see the professionally finished INKAS Overlap System, but you'd have to really be looking" says Pecalevski. He's right, too - there is almost no distortion in the glass, and none of the "Mister Magoo" magnification of other armored vehicles. "From ten feet, five feet and two feet away, it's just another Benz - if you could ever really say that about a Mercedes."

That kind of invisibility is important. Many of INKAS customers aren't celebrities or dictators - mostly, they're executives who just want to make it home to their families. The unfortunate truth is that, in big parts of the world - and even parts of the US and Canada - that's sometimes easier said than done. In many parts of South America, Europe, and the Middle East, kidnapping is a real concern. "You can actually buy 'kidnapping insurance' when you travel now. Ask your agent."

It should be noted that there are different levels of armor available as well, from lighter "street crime" packages that protect against handguns and small arms, to AK-47 and level IV that protects against Armor Piercing bullets treatment given to this Mercedes.

For security reasons, of course, performance figures aren't being released. When pressed, Feyhl just smiles and says "It won't be very easy to catch."

Audi RS4 Black Audi

New styling packages from quattro GmbH with the Audi RS 4 exclusive in black and white including attractive visual highlights for the exterior and interior. quattro GmbH is further enhancing the visual attractiveness of the Audi RS 4 with two new equipment packages for the sports saloon and the Avant. The Black Audi exclusive and White Audi exclusive styling packages offer sophisticated optional extras.

The two paint finishes, Phantom Black, pearl effect and Ibis White, ensure a striking exterior design for the V8 models. The Black styling packages and the White styling package with an ibis white single-frame grille provide the quattro models with a wealth of enhancements. The refined titanium look of the 9Jx19 cast aluminium wheels in 7 twin-spoke design with size 255/35 R19 tyres is also found on the exterior mirrors.

In the interior, the RS 4 unites the functionality of a sports car with an elegant, sophisticated ambience. RS bucket seats with painted backrest covers in phantom black or ibis white are a highlight. The premium standard is effectively maintained in the seat upholstery, which is made of Valcona leather in black metallic with decorative stitching in jet grey or ibis white depending on the styling package. These colour accents are also found on the RS sports steering wheel, the steering wheel rim, the gear knob and the handbrake grip, all of which are trimmed in high-quality suede. Exclusive front floor mats feature the RS 4 logo with piping in jet grey or alabaster white. What’s more, the paintwork colour of the inlays corresponds to the colour accents of the given styling package.

All in all, not only do the new styling packages underline the dynamism of the sports saloon and the Avant on the exterior; they also provide visual highlights in the interior. The Phantom Black styling package costs 6,500 euros, while the Ibis White package costs 7,200 euros.

The 309 kW/420 bhp V8 engine with FSI direct injection and a high-revving concept has an electronically governed maximum speed of 280 km/h. As an option – and at no additional cost – the two RS 4 styling packages include sports suspension plus, lowered by 10 mm.

Volkswagen GTI W12 650 Concept

Leave conventions behind and let your passion awake; since the beginning these were the roots of the GTI idea. Until today they got more than 1.67 million drivers into their spell. Long has the GTI been an icon. A mark for itself.

Since 1982 GTI owners celebrate this annually in the Austrian town Wörthersee. This year, Volkswagen placed a very special GTI before them: the GTI W12 650 showcar. This sports car is a inclination before the GTI friends at the Wörthersee, people for whom the GTI is a myth.

Stronger, Faster

It seems that the GTI W12 650 comes directly from the race track. A GTI that runs like the Pace Car of the 24 hours of Le Mans. Its name means: W12 cylinder, 650 horsepower. A showcar, not more, not less. Nevertheless it shows what enormous potential the GTI has to offer.

3.7 seconds, 201 mph, 554 lb-ft

Its 6.0-liter Biturbo engine is longitudinal and placed directly behind the driver and the front seat passenger. The GTI W12 650 differentiate itself in this way from the classical central engine car. A 6-speed automatic transmission transfers 554 lb-ft to the rear axle. It catapults the GTI W12 650 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds. With a top speed of 201 mph the GTI W12 650 leaves behind nearly all of the world's supercars.

Still a GTI

The chassis components of the GTI W12 650 were adapted directly from supersports cars. The wheels are of course made from a light alloy and because of the gigantic wheel dimensions a specially engineered tire had to be made.

The goal was clearly defined - despite the partially dramatic technical changes the study should remain completely clear that this is a GTI. Therefore as much parts as possible were taken from the classical GTI like: the headlights, the doors, the front hood and the tail lamps. The axles were pushed 70 millimeters into the body.

The largest problem was to supply the 6-liter central engine with sufficient air and to produce sufficient drift at the rear axle without watering the silhouette of the GTI W12 650. Therefore the C-columns were re-designed in such a way that they lead air to the engine. The rear side windows run inward, so that two channels develop between the disks and the C-columns on the left and on the right to drive air to the engine.

The Carbon-fiber Roof is a Diffuser

Innovative building of the body also prevented that the lines of the GTI W12 650 to get ruined by a putting on a roof wing. The study carries the wing inward. The roof is part of an enormous diffuser, which provides sufficient drift to the rear axle. It's made from carbon fiber and leads air under the normal tail spoiler.

Interior with Racing Ambitions

The leather is alcantara. On the middle range of the armatures are three rows of auxiliary instruments. Transparent "Flip UP" switch guards for central functions like the ESP look like taken directly from the race track.

Fire extinguishers are integrated in the place of the glove compartment.