Lamborghini Edo Competition Murcielago LP640

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The renowned German tuner Edo Competition modified the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 in the field of driving dynamics, aerodynamic components, interior and sound.

Aerodynamics is extremely important for a super sports car, especially if you move it on the limit. In order to get more output on the rear axle, Edo Competition offers a rear wing with adjustable lip.

A unique sound is generated by Edo Competition high-flow muffler with stainless steel exhaust tips. A new exhaust butterfly valve control on request with remote control will also be available. Thus, the sportive rear view is an outstanding side-effect.

Engine tuning includes new electronics, specially-adjusted mufflers and special high-flow air filters. These components add 23 bhp to an already high-performance engine.

Particular customer requests give each Lamborghini a personal touch, e.g. it is possible to carry out different interior or multimedia tunings.

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Toyota goes Valvematic

Toyota has announced new engine valve technology that can boost power output by 'at least 10%' yet improve fuel efficiency by 5-10% and cut carbon dioxide emissions.

The Valvematic system combines the current VVT-I variable-valve timing system, which controls the opening and closing of intake valves, with additional fine-tuned control of the intake valve lift volume and the amount of air taken in.

Toyota will fit Valvematic in its next-generation 2.0-litre petrol engine 'being introduced in the near future', and promises to 'completely revamp its petrol engine and transmission line-up by 2010'.

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Porsche to stay strictly Porsche

Porsche won't let its controlling stake in VW lead to a blurring of the boundaries between the companies, according to Porsche's production director, Michael Macht.

'Although there has been a lot of talk in recent weeks on Porsche's stake in Volkswagen, we can assure you that Porsche will always remain Porsche, for this is a maxim we will definitely leave untouched,' he said at the launch of the 911 Turbo Cabriolet.

The details will be spelt out at an extraordinary general meeting in Stuttgart next Tuesday, when a new corporate holding structure will be established. Porsche Automobil Holding SE will oversee the various businesses, including the one making Porsche cars, Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG, which will 'continue to work just as consistently and with the same clear focus as before, maintaining its ongoing path of success in the market' according to Macht.

Porsche's phenomenal business success shows no signs of abating. In the 12 months ending on 31 July, Porsche will have sold more than 36,000 911s worldwide - its best ever year for its core model. Porsche sales for 2006-07 are expected to at least match the previous year's total of more than 96,000.

The order books for the Cayenne MkII are full. Macht said that the original Cayenne - Porsche's first non-sports car - helped establish it in new markets.

'In young markets such as China, Russia, the Middle East and now also India, particularly the Cayenne arouses great enthusiasm in and for Porsche, giving our sales figures double- and even triple-digit growth rates. Now we are consistently continuing this successful development with the four-door Panamera, which will once again significantly expand and broaden our worldwide customer base.'

The Panamera will go on sale in 2009, with a show debut likely in 2008. A rival for the Maserati Quattroporte, Aston Martin's new Rapide - also due in 2009 - and BMW's planned CS, it will be powered by a front-mounted V8 engine, with a choice of rear- or four-wheel drive.

Development work on the Panamera is in full swing at Porsche's Leipzig factory - where the Cayenne is also built - which has recently been extended in a €150m project to create a Panamera production hall, training workshop and logistics centre.

Full-frontal performance:Our spies say that there will be a choice of three engines: an entry-level 300bhp 3.5 V6 (a Volkswagen-derived unit) and an all-new direct-injection eight-cylinder in normally-aspirated (350bhp) and twin-turbo (560bhp) forms. The Carrera GT's 700bhp V10 has also been suggested for an ultra-exclusive top-end version. All engines are to be mounted up front, though positioned as far back as possible to try and maintain a perfect weight distribution and balance.

Ferrari Dino Concept

Ferrari Dino Concept design is the modernized version of the successful Ferrari Dino produced by Ferrari.

"The goal was to create a car that feels stylish, modern, dynamic and organic while staying true to the original design language of the Ferrari Dino and Ferrari brand in general."

The main characteristic of the Dino Concept design is the way it looks similar to the original Dino. With very round styling elements around the wheelbases and its cockpit, it looks retro and modern at the same time. With the right proportions combined, the car looks very dynamic and stylish. It stays true to its original with the design of the rear and the front being rounded and avoiding the hard edges as much as possible. Also the rear window opening is a striking feature originating from the original Ferrari Dino. The air intakes scoops however are very different compared to the original Dino, they look very organic and visually add a very organic feel to the car.

Porsche 9ff 911 Turbo TRC 91

What is it? It has 910 bhp and 672 lb-ft, takes only 3.10 seconds from 0 to 62 mph and offers a top speed of 243 mph, made possible by the modified double-clutch gearbox that goes with it. In the form of a convertible, with unbelievable 780 bhp resulting in 237 mph, it holds the absolute world record since October 2006.

A Supercar, Polished Up

Right, it must be a Porsche. But not just an ordinary one, no, it is the new Porsche 911 Turbo TRC 91 created by Nardo God 9ff. The artists from Dortmund turned the already extremely sporty bolide into one of the fastest and most powerful street-legal sports cars around the globe.

The supercar's 3.6-liter biturbo boxer' engine was modified in great detail. Not only two special turbochargers increase the performance, but also the sport air filter, larger injctors, modified cylinder heads and a stainless steel exhaust system with special manifolds as well as high-performance catalysts, and, finally, an extensive increase in engine displacement resulting in 4.0 liters. All modifications are perfectly harmonized by means of the reprogrammed engine control unit.

More Air for Everything

Thanks to the modified racing front grill, the engine is provided with more air while the brake cooling has been improved by - discrete - additional air intakes. A boot lid made of carbon allows a maximum weight reduction to 2865 lbs. Optimum performance is brought to perfection through revised aerodynamics enhancing the powerful Porsche's driving stability while creating an atmosphere of even more dynamic elegance. The monstrous inner workings, however, do not reveal themselves that easily to a layperson. The experts at 9ff confined themselves to a slightly lower front apron and elegant 20-inch wheels with a larger braking system.

New and shapely front spoilers, side skirts and redesigned rear wings add to the aerodynamic kit while the elegant and aerodynamically enhanced exterior mirrors are the crowning glory of the whole.

To sum it up, the 9ff Turbo TRC 91 was made for those among us who are real gentlemen - it is a decent horsepower werewolf.

GM's New 4.5L V-8 Duramax Turbo Diesel

High-efficiency V-8 scheduled for pickup trucks under 8,600 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight and HUMMER H2. Low emissions, high performance and excellent fuel economy. Expected to deliver class-leading torque, power and refinement. General Motors Corp. will introduce a new, state-of-the-art 4.5L V-8 Duramax turbo-diesel that improves engine fuel efficiency by 25 percent, reduces CO2 emissions by 13 percent and cuts particulates and NOx emissions by at least 90 percent for North American light duty trucks and the HUMMER H2 built after 2009.

The premium V-8 diesel is expected to deliver class-leading torque, power and refinement while maintaining a significant fuel efficiency advantage over comparable-output gasoline engines.

The new dual-overhead cam, four-valve V-8 diesel engine will fit within the same space of a small-block V-8 gasoline engine. This compact size is made possible by using integral cylinder head exhaust manifolds, integral cam cover intake manifolds and a narrow block.

"This new GM light duty diesel is expected to become a favorite among customers who require excellent towing ability and fuel efficiency," said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Global Powertrain and Quality. "It will meet the stringent 2010 emissions standards, and it will be compliant in all 50 states, making it one of the cleanest diesel vehicles ever produced."

Environmental benefits of the new engine include a 13-percent reduction in CO2 versus gasoline engines, and at least a 90-percent reduction in particulates and NOx compared to diesel vehicles today. This will be GM's first engine to use a selective catalytic reduction NOx aftertreatment system with a diesel particulate filter to help achieve the Tier 2 Bin 5 and LEV 2 emissions standards.

Technical highlights of the engine include aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding; a variable-vane turbocharger with intercooling; a Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) block for a stronger and lighter engine base (compared to lower-strength aluminum or heavier grey cast iron); and fracture-split main bearing caps and connecting rods for a precise fit. An electronically controlled, ultra-high-pressure, common-rail fuel system is used, which has the ability to inject fuel five times per combustion event to control noise and emissions.

"This new V-8 is not only a clean diesel meeting the toughest emissions requirements in North America, it also delivers an effortless performance feel because of its high torque across the speed range," said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Powertrain Diesel Engineering. "It is also significantly quieter than other diesels on the road today, with noise and vibration performance approaching gasoline V-8 levels."

Freese said the new V-8's compact size enables it to fit in the envelope of a gasoline small-block engine, which provides GM the flexibility to introduce this engine in a wide variety of vehicle applications should there be future market demand.

The premium V-8 diesel engine is expected to deliver class-leading refinement, horsepower and torque and fulfill multiple vehicle applications with ratings in excess of 310 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque.

GM (Opel, Saab, Vauxhall and GMDAT ) currently offers 17 diesel engine variants in 45 vehicle lines around the world. GM sells more than one million diesel engines annually, with products that offer a range of choices from the 1.3L four-cylinder diesel engine sold in the Opel Agila and Corsa, up to the 6.6L V-8 Duramax diesel sold in full-size vans, heavy duty pickups and medium duty trucks in the U.S.

GM first introduced the Duramax diesel 6.6L V-8 in the U.S. in the 2001 model year and since then, customer enthusiasm for this heavy duty diesel has been outstanding. In fact, GM's heavy duty pickup truck market share has jumped nearly tenfold in the six years that Duramax engines have been offered.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

Audi R8 TDI could be coming in 2009

Audi demonstrated clearly last year that a diesel-powered race car could take on defeat gas-powered cars at the 24 Hours of LeMans and in the ALMS and they are preparing to fend off a new diesel challenger from Peugeot later this month in France. The Audi R8 sports car that debuted in production earlier this year was inspired by Audi's original LeMans car and now looks set for an update based on the latest endurance racer.

A diesel powered version of the R8 may hit the street as soon as 2009, according to Car and Driver. Although the R10 inspired 5.9L V-12 that was shown in the Q7 V-12 at the Detroit Auto Show might seem the obvious choice, it may well be too large and to heavy for the R8 engine bay. The 4.2L V-8 TDI available now in the European Q7 gives up some power but gains 77 percent in torque compared to the gas engine currently used in the R8 and could increase fuel economy by over twenty percent. Whether or not the R8 TDI ever makes it US shores will probably depend on fuel prices and how well the other new Audi diesels are received over the next two years.