Tri-turbo for Porsche 911 Turbo

Porsche is set to ramp up the already potent power output, crushing in-gear performance and overall economy of the 911 Turbo through the adoption of a new tri-turbo system for its existing 3.8-litre, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine.

The firm plans to replace the twin-turbo set-up of today’s 911 Turbo with a complex triple-turbo induction process similar to that employed by BMW M’s new six-cylinder diesel-powered M550d xDrive and X6 xDrive50d models.

Porsche’s new system is undergoing its final phase of development in the back of engineering prototypes of the new top-of-the-line 991.

As revealed in a series of recent patent applications made by the German car maker, the Porsche system uses three individual turbochargers. One smaller unit is mounted close to the engine to boost low-end response together with two larger ones similar to the Borg Warner units in use today.

As well as increasing overall power and providing a more linear delivery at the lower end of the rev range, the new induction process is also claimed to improve efficiency — something well placed Weissach sources suggest will bring about significant fuel savings.

Details remain scarce, but power for the new 911 Turbo, the coupé version of which is due out early next year, looks set to climb from 495bhp to somewhere in the region of 525bhp — or the same as that of today’s 911 Turbo S. At the same time, combined average fuel economy and CO2 emissions are expected to beat the existing model’s 24.4mpg and 272g/km.

As well as appearing in the 911 Turbo, the new tri-turbo system is also earmarked for the next-generation 911 GT2 and the successor to the GT2 RS.
Greg Kable

source : Auto car

2013 BMW X6 Gets Updates, New M Performance Package

BMW has just revealed the first pictures and information about recently updated 2013 BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe, which features a number of minor upgrades and is now also offering an M Performance package that provides some additional.

For starters, the X6 receives minor touch-ups to its front fascia that brings its version of BMW’s signature kidney grille more in line with the mugs on the new 3 and 5 Series models. Available adaptive LED headlights now can be had over the standard Xenon units. BMW’s familiar twin headlight treatment within the housing also appears on the new X6 and its foglights are now set in matte finish surrounds. Out back, the X6’s taillights also receive the LED treatment and are housed in larger enclosures that stretch out to the edges of the vehicle.

An array of exterior paint color choices are available, with two non-metallic and nine metallic colors such as Marrakesh Brown metallic to choose from. A new 19-inch alloy wheel has been added to the mix and comes as standard equipment on the xDrive 50i. While nothing much has changed in the cabin, new leather upholstery options are available if desired and a three-seat bench is available as an option.

As before, the 2013 X6 is available with BMW’s tried and true 300-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six in xDrive35i guise and 400-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8. Check off the M Performance package option and the 3.0-liter gets bumped up to 315 hp and 330 lb-ft while the 4.4-liter is boosted to 440-hp and 480 lb-ft.

Cosmetic upgrades for the M Performance Package include black chrome exhaust tips, stainless steel pedals, 20-inch wheels, and a Carbon Black metallic paint option.
BMW says it has sold more than 150,000 X6s worldwide since its launch three years ago, with 20,000 of those in the States — not bad for such a polarizing vehicle. Expect to see the 2013 BMW X6 in showrooms this spring.

Source: BMW

Honda Fit B-Spec Racing Suspension Kit Available February

Honda Fit B-Spec Racing Suspension Kit Available February, For $2,800 you'll get coil-over shocks, camber bolts, braided stainless brake lines, an air filter, front and rear race springs, a cat-back exhaust, front brake pads and an A/C delete belt.

HPD General Manager Marc Sours said, “A cornerstone of our grassroots motorsports marketing initiative has been to establish a connection between Honda’s passenger cars and the racing cars that evolve from these models. The B-Spec category provides a relatively low-cost means for the prospective racer to enter the sport, and the Honda FIt offers a natural point of entry. These are inexpensive, great-handling cars that should provide both excellent competition and help grow the sport at the entry level.”

You'll still have to provide your own Honda fit, competition cage, racing seats, harness and other safety equipment.

Jeep Previews New 2012 Grand Cherokee

Jeep’s currently showing two specially-prepared 2012 Grand Cherokees – one painted black, the other a dark red – at the Houston and Washington D.C. shows, respectively. Both vehicles are billed as concepts, but Jeep notes the package is “production intent,” and “could be in showrooms this spring.”

Seeing as both packages aren’t that extravagant – and the Jeep brand’s recent fascination with special-edition designer packages — we’d hazard that’s a safe bet. Based on the existing Laredo X model, these vehicles were designed to provide a “factory-customized stealth appearance.” To that end, they boast a black grille surround with a mesh grille insert, black headlamp bezels, and a black liftgate trim panel. 20-inch wheels – which bear a slight resemblance to those used on the Grand Cherokee SRT8 – are finished in a matching hue, restricting exterior brightwork to the window moldings and a handful of emblems.

Interior revisions are limited to standard leather seating surfaces and heated front bucket seats. The remainder of the standard equipment – i.e. rear back-up camera and park assist, a 506-watt audio system with subwoofer, USB audio input, Bluetooth phone connectivity, etc. – essentially mirrors the existing Laredo X model. If so, expect Chrysler’s 3.6-liter V-6 to be standard equipment, its 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 to be optional, and both two- and four-wheel-drive variants in the pipeline.

Really, the only unknown at this stage is the name, seeing as there is none. Visitors to www.jeep.com/namemyride can submit suggestions; from there Jeep will whittle the entries down to three finalists. The winning name will be selected in May, and the winner may have a chance at winning a new 2012 Grand Cherokee – possibly one equipped with this very package

Source : Jeep

Toyota TS030 Hybrid Powertrain Details Released

Toyota issued a release detailing their plan to run two of their hybrid contenders in the Le Mans for the first time in more than a decade. Further details about the factory program were also revealed, including confirmation of a two-car attack at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and its debut at the Six Hours of Spa FIA World Endurance Championship race in May.

The all-new LMP1 contender, built at Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne, Germany, has been named the Toyota TS030 Hybrid.

It will sport a 3.4-liter normally-aspirated V8, coupled with a capacitor instead of batteries, which can store energy by recovering the car braking system. Essentially, this means that the hybrid will store energy while slowing down and use it to boost a significant acceleration while returning to the speed.

"Of course we would love to win Le Mans; that is the dream for all competitors in this race. But we are realistic and we know we need to develop and to learn in order to compete with some very strong competition,” said team president Yoshiaki Kinoshita.

“Another key point in our development phase has been delivering aerodynamic efficiency. The development team at TMG has worked very hard to achieve an optimum aero concept using our state-of-the-art aero development processes based on combined wind tunnel testing and CFD.”

The decision hasn’t been made about who will man the second car, but we do know that the first car’s team includes 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Alex Wurz, last year’s 12 Hour of Sebring winner Nicolas Lapierre and former F1 driver Kazuki Nakajima.