Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni

2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni
Lamborghini Press Release

He has long been revered as one of the many legends surrounding the world's most uncompromising sports car brand - Valentino Balboni, a remarkable test driver with his own personal cult status. Automobili Lamborghini now presents a model in his honour and bearing his name - the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni.

The latest version of the Gallardo, Lamborghini's most successful model of all time - overall, more than 9,000 units of the model range have already been produced - boasts not only its own distinctive design and exclusive equipment, but its technology is unique too, as indicated by the model badge: the 550 stands for the power output in hp and the 2 is for rear wheel drive.

For several decades, Valentino Balboni has had a distinct influence on the character of the super sports car bearing the sign of the bull. With his fine-tuning and testing work, he has helped to shape many automotive legends, from the Lamborghini Miura of the 60s through to the current Gallardo and Murciélago models. Balboni was hired in 1967 by company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini himself. From early on, it was evident that the young Balboni had a special feel for cars, that most sensitive of all instincts that connects to the 'life blood' of an automobile and defines the soul of a test driver.

"A Lamborghini must always combine the precision of a race car with the reliability of a good friend," says Balboni. Since 1973, he has sat at the wheel of every prototype built by the brand, and even most production cars have passed through his hands before being delivered to their customers. This has turned Balboni into one of the most important representatives of the brand, with an outstanding reputation and status among the brand's fans and customers worldwide.

Source: Lamborghini Press Releases

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JE Design Volkswagen Scirocco

2010 JE Design Volkswagen Scirocco - 133 kW & 400 Nm
JE Design Press Release

The times of shaky oil burners are over. But the diesel engine still has a rather stale image. Now JE DESIGN is taking on this prejudice.

The refiner located in Leingarten, Germany enhances the performance of the already agile turbo diesel in the VW Scirocco with an additional control unit by more than twenty-five percent from 140 hp (103 kW) to 180 hp (133 kW). Also the maximum torque increases from 320 to 400 Newton metres at 1,750 to 2,500 r.p.m. respectively. The maximum speed thereby rises from 207 km/h to 213 km/h, and the acceleration from zero to hundred is reduced by 0.9 seconds to 8.4 seconds.

Also for the new 2.0 TDI CR, JE DESIGN offers a performance enhancement of 170 hp (125 kW) to 205 hp (171 kW). With that, the Scirocco then renders a top speed of 229 km/h (serial model: 222 km/h) and accelerates from zero to hundred in 7.1 seconds (serial model: 7.8 seconds). The torque rises to 410 Newton metres (serial model: 350 Nm).

JE DESIGN offers the entire performance pack with assembly for 1,249 euros (180 hp) and 1,449 euros (205 hp) including VAT and adds a 12-month warranty.

In order to adjust the appearance to the newly gained power, JE DESIGN has created an entire body kit. The refiner produces these parts in the usual OEM-quality made of high-quality ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The CNC-milled material ensures a low weight, perfect fitting accuracy and at the same time, the highest material stability.

The kit for 919 euros including VAT includes a front spoiler with a centre sword in carbon look which already renders a racy glance when the car is still parked. The side skirts with air inlets and a rear skirt attachment which is perfectly adjusted to the other component parts and which is also available in carbon-look renders a powerful profile. A refining kit for gull-wing doors (1,549 euros) completes the body modification.

The muffler made of stainless steel with two central oval end pipes (899 euros) renders an earthy sound and an impressive appearance. The muffler comes with an EU-operating license. The lowering springs (299 euros) which were especially designed for the VW Scirocco, lower the car by 30 millimetres and are combined with serial shock absorbers. In order to fill the wheelhouses adequately, JE DESIGN offers the elegant wheel design Multispoke as a complete wheel set. The wheels are available in the size 8x19 inches in shadow silver (2,810 euros), or graphite matt / with polished edges (2,930 euros), both with 235/35 R 19 tyres.

The sport programme for the VW Scirocco can be immediately obtained directly from JE DESIGN, from car component dealers or from Volkswagen partners. For more information about the extensive JE DESIGN programme, please do not hesitate to contact +49(0)7131/20384-0 or visit the JE DESIGN web site.

Source: JE Design Press Releases

Peugeot 908 HDi FAP

2009 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP
Peugeot Press Release

A resounding one-two triumph for Peugeot at Le Mans: Today saw Team Peugeot Total secure its first victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours with the diesel-powered 908 HDi FAP which contested the French endurance classic for the first time two years ago in 2007.

This afternoon's result also takes the firm's Le Mans score to three wins following its previous triumphs in 1992 and 1993.

The Peugeot squad monopolised the top-two places overall in this year's contest. And, with the exception of a short instant early in the race on Saturday afternoon, it led from flag to flag; initially with the N°8 car of Sarrazin/Montagny/Bourdais, then with the N°9 car (Gené/Wurz/Brabham) which inherited top spot just ahead of the five-hour mark, before going on to defend its advantage until the finish.

The N°7 car (Minassian/Lamy/Klien) rounded off Peugeot's weekend by completing this year's thrilling Le Mans clash in sixth spot after collecting a series of minor setbacks during the night.

Source: Peugeot Press Release

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ASI Ferrari F430

2009 ASI Ferrari F430
ASI Press Release

ASI proudly announces the culmination of our first major project outside of the Bentley Continental series: the ASI Ferrari F430 body kit and performance line-up.

Applying expert Japanese technical analysis, careful testing and a truly imaginative and spirited design is not only our business, it's our passion.

Thoroughly tested both around the city and around the track, we are confident that we are releasing what will quickly become the tuning world's most important Ferrari F430 body kit.

Comprised of front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper, ASI's Ferrari F430 body kit offers aerodynamic performance identical to Ferrari stock parts but at a 27 kg weight reduction, not to mention the easily distinguishable new ASI flare.

Our rear bumper is compatible both with the F430's stock exhaust and ASI's new exhaust system, which will offer further performance enhancements via "Scuderia-style" centered exhaust tips.

Source: ASI Press Releases

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AC Schnitzer MINI Convertible

2009 AC Schnitzer MINI Convertible
AC Schnitzer Press Release

With innovative developments, the Aachen-based tuning specialist creates driving pleasure and the perfect MINI Look

With its new Convertible (R57), MINI has now produced the next body variant of the cult car. The AC Schnitzer designers and engineers have already developed a range of special accessories for the new MINI. In keeping with the history of the MINI, the Aachen-based tuning specialists have concentrated on developments in the field of performance upgrades, sports rear silencer, sports suspension, alloy wheels, exterior components and interior details.

Under the small bonnet of the MINI Cooper S the 1.6 litre engine provides power of 175 hp. The AC Schnitzer performance upgrade energizes the MINI Cooper S to 153 kW/208 hp. Under the same conditions, the uprated export version of the Cooper S takes the standard power of 128 kW/175 hp to an impressive 166 kW/226 hp. At the same time, the AC Schnitzer limited slip differential in the MINI Cooper S and Special Model JCW (John Cooper Works) guarantees maximum driving pleasure with excellent ground adhesion.

The perfect driving experience is complemented by the acoustic qualities of the AC Schnitzer sports silencer in special steel with chromed Racing tailpipe for the MINI Cooper S and JCW. The AC Schnitzer sports exhaust perfectly adapts the complete exhaust system to the needs of high performance and tuned engines.

An equally important contribution to driving performance is provided by the renowned AC Schnitzer suspension components, available in the form of suspension spring kit and height-adjustable racing suspension. In conjunction with an aluminium strut brace for the front, even more performance can be extracted from the MINI One, Cooper or Cooper S.

To fill the wheelarches of the new MINI, AC Schnitzer is also offering a choice of several wheel and tyre combinations with Mi1 rims in 17" and Mi2 rims in 18".

Visually, the new series MINI shows few differences from the current series. The designers of AC Schnitzer have changed this with front spoilers and rear skirts (for the MINI Cooper S), which not only enhance the looks of the MINI but also offer aerodynamic advantages. Decal sets in white, black or chrome/black put the finishing touches to the appearance of all MINIs.

Characteristic of the MINI, in the interior the central instruments are arranged between driver and passenger. Characteristic of AC Schnitzer, sporting elements are applied to the driver's workplace. So the Aachen designers offer gear knobs, handbrake handle, pedals and foot rests in aluminium, with velours floor mats.

Source: AC Schnitzer Press Releases

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