The Tokyo Auto Salon is always a blast featuring all sorts of unique tuning proposals, like this here Porsche wannabe. When our Tokyo show man Phil sent us the above photo, we assumed it pictured a Porsche -possibly a Boxster- wearing some kind of extreme bodykit. We were quickly proved wrong, however, when he sent over an image of the interior as well as short video, and revealed that the Porsche Panamera-faced tune was actually a Nissan 350Z Roadster!
If you're tired of ogling the same 50 second clip of the 2012 Mercedes SLK published at launch, we have some good news for you as the Stuttgart automaker has released some fresh footage of its roadster model, filmed both on the road and the track.
The third generation of Merc's roadster comes with a two-piece foldable metal roof top and a choice of a force-fed 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine available in two states of tune, or a 3.5-liter V6 motor. In Europe, the 2012 SLK will be available for order starting from next week, while U.S. sales will begin this summer. Click here for more details or follow the jump to watch the videos.
Inevitably, you can’t have motorsports without accidents and 2010 was a pretty eventful year in this area. Motors TV has compiled two clips with scary incidents from a variety of motorsports, ranging from motorcross to speedboat racing. Hit the jump to watch the videos.
Porsche's return to the Detroit Show after a four year-absence is marked with the introduction of a new racing concept based on the company's 918 Spyder from last year's Geneva Salon. The 918 RSR is a two-seat mid-engined coupe, and according to Porsche, it demonstrates what happens when the technology fitted in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car and the design of the 918 Spyder concept are combined together.
The motorsports version of the 918 Spyder concept car gets a V8 engine based on the RS Spyder race car's 3.4-liter unit tuned to deliver 563HP at 10,300 rpm, and is linked to a six-speed racing transmission with shift paddles that feeds the rear wheels.
A pair of electrics motors mounted on the two front wheels each contribute 75 kW (102 hp), or a total of 204HP, lifting the combined output to 767HP. The German maker notes that the extra power from the electric motors is available for around eight seconds when the system is fully charged.
As with the 911 GT3 R hybrid racing car, the additional power from the electric motors, which is generated during braking, is stored in an optimized flywheel accumulator.
In the 918 RSR study, the two electric motors also offer a torque vectoring function with variable torque distribution to the front axle, which increases agility and improves steering response.
Aside from the coupe configuration with the fixed roof and the characteristic doors which open at an angle upwards, the 918 RSR also features an added air intake in the roof between the wing doors, a special aero package that includes air splitters beneath the front lip and a huge rear wing, plus slick tires on 19-inch wheels with single centre locking nut.
The interior of the road-spec 918 Spyder has also been modified and comes with a single figure-hugging bucket seat, while the passenger seat has been replaced by flywheel accumulator.
To say the new 300 sedan is an important model for the future of the Chrysler Group is an understatement. This was more than evident at the firm's press conference at the Detroit motor show today, segments of which you can watch in the video after the jump.
The overhauled for the 2011 model year full-size sedan boasts new sheetmetal as well as a significantly improved interior and a modern 3.6-liter V6 engine with 292HP that joins the 363HP-strong 5.7-liter V8 Hemi. Last week, Chrysler announced pricing information for the 300, which starts at $27,995 for the entry-level V6 model and tops out at $41,145 for the V8 version with AWD (click here for more details).
“The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 is an icon of American ingenuity and symbolizes the greatness Detroit-designed vehicles offer the streets, highways and boulevards of the world,” said Olivier Francois, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.
“From its premium materials, state-of-the-art connectivity features, new chassis architecture and best-in-class power, the all-new Chrysler 300 embodies the brand’s new attitude in every detail. And to ensure our all-new Chrysler flagship delivers more than unmistakably bold and powerful American style to our customers, the Chrysler 300 team benchmarked the craftsmanship, technology and refinement of the segment’s best sedans to deliver a new world-class quality and performance symbol at an attainable price.”
