2011 Lexus LS 460 Touring Edition

Lexus has announced that the new 2011 LS 460 Touring Edition will carry a base price of $73,875.

This limited edition model will feature a sporty body kit, sport seats, and a wood and leather steering wheel. Plus you also get a new grille and 19-inch wheels for some extra curb appeal. So if you’ve wanted your LS to stand apart from all the other LS’s at the country club parking lot, this new version would appeal to you.

Inside, unusual matte brown wood trim stands in contrast to the black and tan leather-trimmed seats. Wood trim is also used on the steering wheel and shift knob.




Press Release

Lexus 2011 LS 460 Touring Edition

• Limited Units Will Be Produced
• Features Sport Body Kit
• Sport Seats, Wood and Leather Steering Wheel

TORRANCE, Calif. (June 17, 2011) - Lexus today announced the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $73,000 for the 2011 LS 460 Touring Edition (rear wheel drive model) which will arrive at dealerships in late June/early July. The MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875.

"The Touring Edition adds excitement to our flagship sedan," said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. "The package on this car enhances styling and comfort, allowing us to attract younger buyers to the LS line-up."

The 2011 LS 460 Touring Edition will be available on both the LS 460 Rear Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive models. It will be distinguished from other LS models by a Smoky Granite Mica exterior, and following equipment:
19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels (18-inch on All-Wheel Drive model):
Sport kit and grille;
Sport seats;
Wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob;
Other Touring Edition standard features include matte brown wood trim, black and tan leather-trimmed seats and premium floor mats.

"The LS 460 Touring Edition is a unique package of sporty exterior styling and comfort. With limited units available nationwide they'll sell out fast to customers who want an all-inclusive luxury package," said Templin.

Renault Megane RS250 black edition

RENM Renault Megane RS 250 Black Edition is based on the old RS 250 model and gets a new stainless steel performance exhaust system, turbo intercooler, sports air filter, brake callipers and brake pads, to cope with the extra power.

The RENM RS 250 Black Edition dials power up on the hot hatch to 310 PS (228 kW / 306 bhp) and 430 Nm of torque by means of an ECU remap.

Visually, what struck us the first time we lay our eyes on the RENM Megane RS250 are the 19-inch titanium grey racelight wheels and lower ride height, which the tuners say it’s 35mm lower than the OEM version. Individually adjustable height and dampening coilover suspension are also added to the mix.





Press Release

Press release, June 2011
RENM Renault Megane RS250 black edition

RENM performance has released a ‘black' edition of the Renault Megane RS 250. The RENM Megane RS250 black edition is a more potent version of the highly regarded and accomplished performance hatchback, and the RENM black edition is no exception. With its highly developed engine and chassis, the black edition features striking new styling and race car-like dynamics.

The black edition receives a new stainless steel performance exhaust system, turbo intercooler, sports air filter, brake callipers and brake pads. RENM has increased engine output to 310PS/430NM by recalibrating the ECU and redesigning the exhaust system with sports catalytic convertor. The new intercooler, approximately four times the size of the OEM version, lowers intake temperatures for improved and sustained performance.

The black edition is characterised by 19" titanium grey racelight wheels and lower ride height (35mm lower than the OEM version). Handling dynamics are improved with individually adjustable height and dampening coilover suspension. The package can be further enhanced to accommodate circuit use with a choice of race seats, seat belt harnesses and steering wheels.

For more details on the RENM Renault Megane RS250 black edition, visit www.renm-performance.com for more information.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition shows

General Motors officially unveiled the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition to a crowd of dealers and enthusiasts on the eve of the Indianapolis 500.

Most of the limited edition changes are found inside the Camaro. There’s loads of soft-touch surfaces around the cabin and on the dash, a new more user-friendly steering wheel, a revised instrument panel layout, and Jet Black leather with red, white and blue stitching.

The droptop muscle car boasts a slew of tweaks that are destined to eventually make their way to the greater Camaro lineup, including new soft-touch materials on the dash, a new steering wheel that's not ridiculous to use, and a few suspension changes. GM tells us that SS models will be equipped with the new FE4 suspension package, born from the development the upcoming Camaro ZL1. V6 Camaros will now pack 323 horsepower, a gain of 11 over the 2011 model-year cars.

Unique 20-inch alloy wheels also set the car apart. They are supported by an FE4 sports suspension package, which includes solid front and rear sway bars and revised suspension geometry to provide a more responsive chassis and improved handling.




Press Release

2012 Camaro: 45th Anniversary Edition Boosts Power, Comfort

Sports car brings new, more powerful V-6, sport suspension and new technologies

DETROIT – Chevrolet Camaro, America's most popular sports car, extends its momentum with enhancements for the 2012 model year. Highlights include an improved version of its standard 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine, a new FE4 performance suspension package for SS coupes and several interior and technology improvements, such as a revised instrument panel design, new steering wheel and rear camera system.

The enhancements arrive in time for Camaro's 45th birthday, which will be celebrated with this summer's release of the 45th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro. Continuing the tradition of Camaro anniversary models, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition carries all the upgrades for 2012, with additional unique design elements, inside and out.

"The appeal of Camaro design and performance has powered it to the top of its segment," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "For 2012, we're capitalizing on that momentum with enhancements to Camaro's performance and comfort."

Also coming in early 2012 is the high-performance Camaro ZL1, the most technologically advanced car ever developed in its segment.

Class-leading 3.6L V-6 engine

Camaro's new 3.6L direct injection V-6 – the LFX engine – goes into production this summer. It delivers an SAE-certified 323 horsepower (241 kW) at 6,800 rpm – an increase of 11 horsepower (8 kW) over the 2011 engine, with no compromise in fuel economy.

The LFX delivers the most standard power in the regular sports car segment. It is also 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg) lighter than its predecessor, which promotes a more balanced driving experience. EPA-estimated highway fuel economy for the '12 Camaro is 30 mpg (2LS model).

Compared to the 3.6L V-6 in 2011 models, the new LFX engine features:

New cylinder head design with integrated exhaust manifold
Improved intake port design and larger intake valves within the cylinder heads
Longer-duration intake camshafts
Composite intake manifold
New fuel pump and isolated fuel rail
New, optimized-flow fuel injectors
Structural front cover and cylinder block enhancements
Stronger and lighter-weight connecting rods
Camshaft cap and throttle body design enhancements.

Direct injection is the key technology enabling the engine's combination of power and efficiency. It optimizes fuel delivery to the combustion chamber by introducing fuel closer to the combustion chamber. The result is better efficiency in the combustion process leading to increased fuel efficiency at part and full throttle. It also uses a new fuel pump for the direct injection system, along with a new, isolated fuel rail. The new fuel pump is quieter, while the isolated fuel rail further reduces fuel system noise.

FE4 suspension enhances performance

The new FE4 suspension debuts as a performance improvement for the Camaro SS coupe in 2012, focusing on more refined handling.

"Our objective was to create a more precise sport suspension for the SS coupe, with greater road-holding capability," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "We applied lessons learned from extensive track testing to better refine the suspension geometry for flatter cornering, a more neutral balance during hard turns, and minimized understeer at the limit."

Elements of the FE4 package include:

Retuned front and rear dampers
New solid front (23 mm) and rear (24 mm) stabilizer bars
Twenty-inch aluminum wheels and P245/45R20 front/P275/40R20 rear tires (SS).

More than just new components, the new FE4 performance suspension incorporates learning from the ongoing development of the high-performance Camaro ZL1. In particular, the suspension geometry has been adjusted, including reshaped stabilizer bars that are repositioned outboard of the shock mounts. This results in more effective body control and more precise response in performance driving.

Interior, exterior and technology updates

The 2012 model year brings appearance, ergonomic and technology upgrades inside for Camaro drivers and passengers. The interior updates include a revised instrument panel appearance, with new instrument graphics and trim, as well as a new steering wheel design and a power lift feature for the front passenger seat. The steering wheel features a fresh new look and ergonomic improvements intended to support performance driving.

Also new for Camaro in 2012 is a Rear Vision Package, which adds a rearview camera system and an auto-dimming mirror to the existing Rear Park Assist feature. The rearview camera system complements the rear parking assist by providing a video display of the area behind the car, with the video image appearing in the car's inside rearview mirror.

On the exterior for 2012, a new rear spoiler will be added as a standard feature for Camaro; and the taillamps that had been a part of the RS appearance package option are also being made standard. Additionally, a new, body-color "sharkfin" antenna joins the RS package.
Crystal Red Tintcoat replaces Red Jewel as an exterior color.

45th Anniversary package details

Launching this summer, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition commemorates both Camaro's lineage and its 21st-century revival. Camaro fans will get their first look at the 45th Anniversary Special Edition at the Camaro5 Fest II, April 15 in Arizona. The anniversary package will be offered on Camaro's top two trim levels (2LT and 2SS) for both coupe and convertible body styles.

The exterior signature of the 45th Anniversary Special Edition is its unique rally stripe, in red and silver, that contrasts the Carbon Flash Metallic paint. The package also includes:

Unique 45th Anniversary hood and deck stripes; badges located beneath the front fender emblems
New-design 20-inch wheels in dark silver
Fog lamp and taillamp bezels finished in dark silver
RS-style taillamp lenses
Standard rear spoiler and HID headlamps
Body-color roof molding
Jet Black interior with leather-trimmed seats featuring the 45th Anniversary logo
White instrument panel and door trim inserts with the 45th Anniversary logo on the instrument panel
Red, white and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob/boot, door armrests and console lid
45th Anniversary logo on the steering wheel and sill plates.

STaSIS Audi S5 Cabriolet Challenge Edition

The North American performance specialists from STaSIS present their latest upgrade program for the Audi S5 Cabriolet, called the Challenge Edition,

Dubbed the Challenge Edition, the model features a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that has been equipped with a revised ECU and a stainless steel sport exhaust system.

The vehicle now deals with the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.3 seconds ( an improvement of 0.7 seconds). As for the handling, this should match the straight line performance, as the tuner installed a set of adjustable shock absorbers and also upgraded the brakes, using Alcon six-piston monobloc calipers, high performance pads and stainless steel brake lines.

A 'road-gripping' differential was also fitted, plus the car now rides on 20 inch ultra lightweight forged aluminium wheels wrapped in high performance low profile tires. As a result lateral acceleration has dropped from 1.00 G to 0.86 G while brake deceleration dropped from 1.00 G to 0.89 G.




Press Release

GET THE ULTIMATE FRESH AIR DRIVE WITH THE 410 BHP STASIS S5 CABRIOLET CHALLENGE EDITION

North American performance powerhouse STaSIS Engineering has unveiled the ultimate version of the Audi S5 Cabriolet - the 410 bhp Challenge Edition - which is now available for British customers for the first time.

Designed to unleash the car's competitive instincts, the STaSIS Engineering S5 Cabriolet Challenge Edition adds race developed technology to Audi's luxury convertible. Power and torque gains, an upgraded exhaust, performance-stretching Ohlins suspension, the brilliant feel of monobloc brake calipers, plus the added agility and sure-footedness of a road-gripping differential give you the ultimate in race-bred performance. From concept to production each new STaSIS component is rigorously tested to ensure maximum performance and factory levels of reliability.

The Challenge Edition delivers the no-compromise philosophy underpinning the STaSIS brand - a unique blend of cohesive powertrain, chassis and braking upgrades, that raise the performance of the 2010 onwards 3.0-litre supercharged Audi S5 Cabriolet to a higher plane. Indeed, there are few faster cabriolets on the road, certainly not with four seats.

Available now through award-winning VAG specialist and UK STaSIS distributor APS of Brackley, as well as STaSIS agents across Britain, the key technical features of the sensational STaSIS S5 Cabriolet Challenge Edition are as follows:-

• Engine - ECU remap to 410 bhp (up from a factory 333 bhp)
• Exhaust - Quad outlet T304 stainless steel with laser engraved tips and tuneable high rpm resonators
• Brakes - Alcon 6-piston monobloc calipers, 370mm front two piece floating discs, high performance pads, braided stainless steel brake lines
• Suspension - Ohlins SL dampers with double digressive damping for ride comfort, increased spring rate for better response and adjustable ride height
• Wheels - 10.5 x 20 inch ultra-lightweight forged aluminium wheels with high performance low profile tyres

The STaSIS S5 Cabriolet Challenge Edition combines a 23% power increase with cohesive handling and braking enhancements to deliver ultra high performance combined with peace of mind and safety.

Everything STaSIS' engineers have learned at the racing circuit has been distilled into an Audi S5 Cabriolet upgrade package that's just as happy around town as it is on the open road, where it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds (5.0 stock).