Ohio: ACURA NSX SUPERCAR TO BE PRODUCED
Honda today announced that the highly anticipated Acura NSX hybrid supercar will be built at a new facility in central Ohio, representing factory no. 3 in the Buckeye state. Honda will spend $70 million transforming a former logistics center, resulting in a new 184,000-square-foot production plant that the automaker calls a Performance Manufacturing Center, located just a few miles from Honda’s American R&D building and already existing Marysville plant. Featuring less automation and more hand-built components than the other facilities, the new factory will employ 100 skilled workers drawn from existing Marysville operations, while the NSX engine will be assembled nearby at Honda’s Anna, Ohio, engine plant. Production of the Acura NSX is scheduled to begin sometime in 2015.
Hennessey Tuned: 2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SRT HPE650
This is one badass SUV!! If you are looking for a sleeper that can take on most sports cars, then look no further than the 2013 version Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT HPE650. Mildly tuned by Hennessey Performance, this beast of an SUV can reach 60mph in 3.9 seconds and finish the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds–not a shabby attempt at all. Turn up the volume on the video below and listen to the 650 horsepower, supercharged 6.4-liter Hemi engine roar down the drag strip. Each of the cylinder heads was ported for higher capacity and mated to high-flow headers that improve airflow.
BRABUS:2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA250 TUNED
In keeping its vehicle portfolio up to date, Mercedes customizer BRABUS is introducing its new tuning kit for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The program starts with BRABUS’ PowerXtra engine kit, which adds about 34 additional horsepower and 26 lb-ft of torque to a grand total of 245 horsepower and 284 lb-ft in torque. To compensate the additional performance, BRABUS switched in a set of sport springs, new four-tailpipe exhaust, and an option of 18 or 19-inch BRABUS monoblock alloy wheels in five different designs. Finally, potential customers can select a variety of bespoke interior from BRABUS as well.
CONCEPT: TESLA MODEL S COUPE
He labeled himself as an “automotive manipulator”, but in many ways, Theophilus Chin is more like a sleight of hand artist instead. With just a few subtle nip-and-tuck on his Photoshop, the Singapore-base artist was able to transform the Tesla Model S Sedan into a Tesla Model S Coupe Concept. Chin kept the front half original but shorten the wheelbase at the car’s rear to give it a 2-door GT coupe layout. Though technically, this also means a shorter battery power capacity since Tesla’s battery pack is part of the chassis. Still, you can’t help but notice just how great the concept looks…
Henessey: Ford Taurus SHO
Hennessey is well-known for their work on muscle-cars and trucks, but now the performance autotuner flexes its design muscles in a new direction to prove anything that it touches can be powerful enough to raise a few eyebrows. Enter: the Ford Taurus SHO, which comes stock with a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 Ecoboost engine that Hennessey Performance decided to exploit courtesy of extensive modifications that all void the car’s stock warranty (they do provide their own 1-year, 12,000 mile deal with the package), raising the car’s output to 445hp from a not-so-impressive 365. Hennessey claims the unlikely performance car is now capable of hitting 60mph in 4.3 seconds and can hit the quarter-mile mark in 12.8–quite the feat for a four door that is anything but light and sporty. The pack, called the MaxBoost 445, also includes its own numbered plaque, Hennessy logos and badging, new headrests, and a new stainless-steel cat-back exhaust system to go with the dual cold-air induction system. The package will set you back just under $4,500, but for an additional 80hp, 55 lb-ft of torque, and a new sense of pride, that doesn’t seem like such a bad deal. Peep the vid!
2013 VOLVO S60 POLESTAR
Although its not going to be as extreme as the original 508-horsepower concept previewed last year, this 2013 Volvo S60 Polestar still as ample power and style for any buyer with a spare $300,000. Scheduled for an initial release in Australia, this is Polestar‘s first deep foray into production vehicles after over 17 years in the motorsport performance business and by the look of things, this just may be the most potent car to ever wear the Volvo badge. Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine capable of producing 344 horses and more than 368 pound-feet of torque, this sports sedan is capable of moving to the 60mph mark in under 5 seconds and hit a top speed of 155 mph. The S60 also borrows stylistic and aerodynamic upgrades from Polestar, including high capacity brakes, a highly-tuned chassis, and redesigned dampers. All together, Polestar and Volvo believe that they have a car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts and you’d have to agree they are on to something. Deliveries of the VolvoS60 Polestar will begin this June.
 |
 |
 |