VW Scirocco R with 265HP 2.0 TSI: Official Photos and Details

VW Scirocco R with 265HP 2.0 TSI: Official Photos and Details

The high-performance 'R' version of the Scirocco that was previewed as a concept study at last year's Bologna Motor Show has finally been revealed in production form. The new Scirocco R is powered by a reworked version of the previous Golf GTI V's 2.0-liter engine boasting a higher pressure turbocharger as well as other modifications such as new intercooler that help boost output to 265HP and 350Nm or 258.2-lbs/ft of torque. The reason why VW chose the older generation 'EA113' four-pot over the Golf GTI VI's newer 2.0 TSI codenamed 'EA888' is said to concern the lower development costs.

Expect to see the same direct-injection four-pot replacing the previous Golf R32's 250HP 3.2-liter V6 in the still under-development, Golf R sport hatch or as it may be called, R20. Not surprisingly, the 265HP 2.0 TSI is mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox and optionally, to a twin-clutch DSG semi-automatic transmission.

Marking a departure from the other 'R' models, the hot Scirocco is not equipped with an all-wheel drive system as VW preferred to retain the coupe's front wheel drive layout. This solution helps keep the weight down to around 1,330 kg or 2,932 lbs.

According to the German firm, the Scirocco R hits the 100km/h (62mph) mark in 6.5 seconds (6.4'' with the DSG) and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h or 155mph. In comparison, the the 0-100km/h sprint times for the 2010 Golf GTI and the last Golf R32 4Motion are 6.9 seconds and 6.5 seconds respectively.

Beneath the sheetmetall, Volkswagen's engineers upgraded the standard Scirocco's chassis with a lower suspension that features new dampers and springs, beefier brake discs all around measuring 345mm up front and 310mm at the back plus a new electronic XDS differential as found in the latest Golf GTI.

The mechanical upgrades are complemented by a new aero package that may be less aggressively styled than the one featured on the concept study, but nonetheless, it does its job to distinguish the coupe from its less sportier siblings. The bodykit consists of a chunkier front bumper that houses larger air vents as well as LED daytime running lights, side skirts, new grille, roof spoiler, restyled rear bumper and smoked tail lights. The R model sits on newly designed 18-inch five-spoke rims while customers can also opt for 19-inch alloys.

Inside, the hot Scirocco sports a set of front bucket seats, a three-spoke steering wheel with a flattened bottom featuring the 'R' logo, aluminum decorative trim here and there plus subtly restyled instrument dials.

The new Scirocco R is scheduled to arrive in European showrooms in the beginning of fall 2009. Sadly for U.S consumers, Volkswagen has no plans at the moment to import the sports coupe in the country.

G-POWER BMW M6 Hurricane CS: Fastest BMW Coupe in the World Achieves 370km/h - 231mph

G-POWER BMW M6 Hurricane CS: Fastest BMW Coupe in the World Achieves 370km/h - 231mph

For BMW tuning aficionado G-Power, there's no such thing as enough power or too much speed. Having already pushed the limits on the M5 Sedan and more recently, the X5 SUV, the German tuner focused its resources on the development of an even more extreme and powerful edition of the 635HP M6 Hurricane. Called the Hurricane CS, the M6 Coupe-based model uses an upgraded version of the M5 Hurricane's 730HP twin-turbocharged V10 that delivers an output of 750HP allowing the supercar to reach a top speed of 370km/h or 231mph.

To achieve the record breaking speed (for a production BMW coupe), Michelin provided a set of special high performance Pilot Sport PS2 in sizes 255/35 ZR 19 in front and 305/30 ZR 19 on the rear axle. For everyday use, G-Power offers the M6 with 21-inch Silverstone Diamond wheels shod in 255/30 ZR 21 (front) and 295/25 ZR 21 (rear) tires that are for use up to 340 km/h or 211mph.

Further development of the M5 Hurricane's V10 engine that included optimized mapping of the ECU and redesigned superchargers contributed to the increased power output of 750 horsepower available between 7,500 and 8,000 rpm, and the peak torque of 800Nm or 590 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm.

At the same time G-POWER put the BMW M6 on a diet by replacing the entire exhaust system with one made from titanium that allegedly weighs 24 kg or 53lbs less than the factory exhaust while the new carbon fiber seats in the interior, save another 24kg (12kg or 26.5 lbs each seat).

The 750Hp V10 and the weight saving measures help the Hurricane CS sprint from zero to 100km/h or 62mph in 4.4 seconds, to 200km/h or 124mph in 9.6 seconds and to 300 km/h or 187mph in just 26 seconds.

Stopping power is provided by a Carbon-Ceramic break system with 6-piston calibres and brake discs with 380 mm in diameter, that is 50% lighter than the standard brakes. There's also a height-adjustable G-POWER coil-over RS suspension with nine selectable settings each for bound and rebound and the G-POWER anit-roll-bar kit for the front and rear axles.

Other modifications on the G-Power M6 Hurricane CS include the multipart widebody aero kit that consists of new fenders, restyled bumpers, hood vents, carbon fiber spoilers and rear diffuser.

In the cabin, aside from the carbon-fiber sports seats, the Hurricane CS also gets a new speedometer with 400-km/h scale, clear-coated carbon-fiber panels for the dash, center console and doors, as well as a new sport steering wheel dressed in perforated Kjerba Nappa leather.

And the price for all of this? According to G-Power, a fully converted Hurricane CS starts at €360,000 or the equivalent of US$477,500.

Koenigseder Aero-Tunes the Porsche Carrera GT

Koenigseder Aero-Tunes the Porsche Carrera GT

The most exclusive Porsche of the past decade or so may have gone out of production in 2006, but the tuning industry isn't about to let go that easily. Austrian tuning house Koenigseder has just presented its new performance package for the Porsche Carrera GT that consists of a full bodykit, alloy wheels and a more sonorous exhaust system for the 612-horsepower strong 5.7-liter V10 engine that has been left intact.

Included in the aero kit are a newly designed front bumper that kind of reminds us of the Lamborghini Reventon, a new rear bumper with a larger diffuser and extra air vents, an awkward looking, giga-sizes fixed rear wing that puts to rest the factory pop-up spoiler, chunkier side skirts and a newly styled removable roof panel.

2010 Ferrari F450 Rendered - Set to be Unveiled at Frankfurt Show this Fall

2010 Ferrari F450 Rendered - Set to be Unveiled at Frankfurt Show this Fall

As Ferrari is in the final development phase of the F430's successor, French car magazine Auto Plus decided to prepare an artist's impression of the new Prancing Horse supercar compiled from various spy shots of the prototype model. The rendering suggests a more modern design language with heavily concaved surfaces on the side panels. Up front, the styling looks less exciting, but let's not forget that this is an unofficial design proposal, nothing more, nothing less.

The Italian carmaker has been quite secretive about the details surrounding the F430's heir, but sources speculate that the supercar will most likely get a F450 badge reflecting the displacement of the mid-mounted V8, which will grow from 4.3- to 4.5-liters and feature a Bosch developed, direct-injection system. This also means that the F450's V8 will potentially be more powerful producing over 500HP, up from the F430's 490HP.

We've also heard through the grapevine that the F450 will be the Prancing Horse's first production model to feature an array of eco-friendly materials as well as several weight reduction measures, many of which were first seen on the firm's 2007 FXX Millechili concept (pictured above), a scaled-down version of the Enzo that weighed in at just 1,000kg / 2,204 lbs, or 366kg / 807lbs less than the model it was based upon.

According to out information, the F450 will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Show in September. Those interested in buying one, will probably have to wait until early 2010 to see it in Ferrari's dealerships.

Photo via: Autoplus