SEMA Show: Lingenfelter Supercharges 2010 Camaro SS to 750HP

Making its debut alongside the Lingenfelter 2010 Camaro-based Pontiac Trans Am Concept at next week's SEMA Show will be a supercharged Camaro SS with all kinds of mechanical and cosmetic revisions. The most significant changes on Lingenfelter's Camaro are hidden under the hood as this Chevy features a 750 horsepower supercharged 426 cubic inch (equal to 7.0-liters) LS7 V8 with an 8.8:1 compression ratio, forged JE pistons, production GM LS7 crankshaft and titanium connecting rods, just to mention a few of the upgrades.

In addition to the engine, Lingenfelter's 2010 Camaro package includes a 6-bolt LS9 twin disk flywheel and clutch assembly, a twin pump fuel system, Brembo brake calipers and rotors, a Corsa sport exhaust system, double adjustable Sachs shocks and Hotchkis suspension springs, anti-sway bars and subframe brace.

On the outside, the SEMA Show display vehicle features a new front fascia splitter, rocker extensions, carbon fiber grille, new hood with air extractors, rear deck lip and spoiler and rear fascia extension plus a set of 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels shod in Pirelli 275/40ZR20 tires on the front and Pirelli 305/35ZR20 on the back.

As for the interior, Lingenfelter's tuning proposal includes a Mito rear view mirror with video display, a custom-made steering wheel, machined pedal covers, floor mats and embroidered interior.

GM Releases Official Cadillac CTS-V Challenge Race Video

Now that we all know the results of the spunky CTS-V Challenge at the Monticello Motor Club, it's time to see GM's official video take on the race with all the protagonists. If you happened to miss our previous post, former GM Performance Division Executive John Heinricy cut the ribbon first with a CTS-V, young Michael Cooper with a private BMW M3 Sedan came in fourth while Bob Lutz and his automatic CTS-V finished 7th beating Jalopnik's Wes Siler who raced a Mitsubishi EVO X after "XXXXX" withdrew its pledge to give him the "XXXX" (yes, we're trying to amuse one of our "anonymous commentators"...). Video after the break.

Ferrari World Theme Park at Abu Dhabi: High-Res Photo Gallery Update

These are some of the very first photos of the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park after the completion of the almost alien-like external structure. Set to be the world's largest indoor theme park and the first ever Ferrari theme park in the world when it opens in 2010, it comes complete with a racetrack that will host the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, shops, hotels, various attractions, rides and just about anything else to make it a gear-head's "Disney Land".

Talking about Disney Land, the Ferrari theme park which is located on Yas Island between the coast and city of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will include the world's fastest rollercoaster. Travelling at speeds in excess of 200 km/h (124 mph), it is said to emulate the feeling of being in a Ferrari F1 car as the passengers go over 62 m through the roof and back down again.

As for the theme park's now completed red roof, which is claimed to have been directly inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body, it covers a surface area of 200,000m² (2.15 million square feet) and features the largest "prancing horse" emblem in the world, measuring an astonishing 66 meters (217 feet) in diameter.

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Abu Dhabi Ferrari Theme Park: Key Facts

General

• World's first Ferrari theme park
• World's largest indoor park
• Opening in 2010
• Owned by Aldar Properties PJSC
• Managed by Farah Leisure Parks Management L.L.C, a joint venture between Aldar Properties PJSC and ProFun Management Group Inc.
• Located on Yas Island on the North East side of Abu Dhabi's mainland
• Yas Island is a 10-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport, 30 minutes from the city of Abu Dhabi, and 50 minutes from Dubai
• Adjacent to the Yas Marina Circuit, hosting the inaugural 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Building

• Designed by globally renown architectural firm Benoy
• Building height is 45m (147.6 ft), with a roof edge circumference of 2,200 m (7217.8 ft)
• Enclosed space (area accessible to the general public) is 100,000 m2 (1,076,391 sq ft)
• Over 35,000 tonnes of steel have been used to reinforce the structure
• Landscaped area around the main building is 450,000 m2 (4,843,759 sq ft)

Roof

• Design inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body
• Made from metal and glass designed to reduce glare and heat
• Total surface area is 200,000 m2 (2,152,782 sq ft)
• The Ferrari logo is 65m x 48.5m, the largest Ferrari logo ever created
• Highest point is 48m, with a total of 6,900 meters of roof guttering

Rides

• Designed by one of the world's most prominent design firms Jack Rouse Associates
• Over 20 state-of-the-art rides and attractions.
• Featured attractions include:
  • The world's fastest roller coaster emulating the feeling of being in an F1 car
  • G-force experience taking passengers on an adrenaline-pumping ride up over 62m, through the roof and back down again
  • State-of-the-art racing simulators using a similar system as those used by the Ferrari racing team
  • Flume ride journey through the heart of a Ferrari 599 engine
  • Driving and Racing school for junior drivers, with expert training
  • Aerial voyage over Italy following a Ferrari

Food & Beverage

• A broad range of dining, quick service and beverage locations offering Italian inspired delicacies as well as a variety of international dishes.
• Highlights include:
  • Two restaurants inspired by the real Maranello food experience
  • A true Italian ambiance of a traditional delicatessen, including:
    • Customized fresh pasta and pizza made-to-order
    • An array of international dishes to satisfy all tastes

Shopping

• Visitors can expect a retail experience that celebrates Ferrari's rich heritage in a way never seen before.
• Highlights include:
  • 825 m2 store celebrating Ferrari's rich history with vintage and contemporary racing memorabilia
  • Souvenir photo opportunities for capturing the thrill of the moment
  • "Interactive Corners" where children can customize their own park souvenirs
  • 1300 m2 flagship store offering Ferrari and special Ferrari World Abu Dhabi items

SEMA Show: 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 315HP Tuned by STP

Subaru of America's in house performance division, STP (which stands for Subaru Performance Tuning), will reveal a custom-built Impreza WRX STI at the Las Vegas SEMA Show next week. The WRX STI gets all sorts of goodies from the SPT catalog such as a sportier exhaust system that boosts the 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine's output from 305 HP to 315 HP at 6,000 rpm with peak torque remaining stock at 290 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm and a turbo heat shield.

To improve handling, SPT equipped the Impreza WS STI with a set of 19-inch Prodrive GT2 alloy wheels finished in Glitter Gold and wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245/35R19 performance tires while the car's suspension is upgraded with STI performance springs, an SPT strut tower brace and an SPT lower chassis brace.

Cosmetically, the tuned model is said to feature SPT billet oil cap and billet battery hold down, an STI front lip spoiler and SPT exhaust finishers.

Interior appointments include an SPT boost gauge, a media hub digital music integration system and an auto-dimming mirror with transflective display and HomeLink transmitter plus an STI shift knob and all-weather floor mats.

BMW M5 Touring E39: One-Off Station Wagon Prototype Also Revealed by BMW [High-Res Gallery]

Though definitely not as unique or attention-grabbing as the 1989 E34 M5 soft-top Convertible that we showed you in an earlier post here on Carscoop, the one-off E39 M5 Touring prototype that was also revealed by BMW at a special event in Germany commemorating the 25 years of the M5 and photographed by the folks over at 'Bimmertoday', is certainly worth a second look .

The E39-based M5 Touring, which for various reasons never made it pass the prototype phase, was powered by the same naturally-aspirated 4.9-liter V8 engine with 400 ponnies as its sedan doppelganger.

The only other M5 Touring to be series produced by BMW other than today's V10-powered model (E60 sedan / E61 Touring), was the E34 M5 that was fitted with an inline-six cylinder engine.

Source: Bimmertoday , Via: BMWBlog

BMW M5 Touring E39 Prototype

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BMW M5 E39 Saloon

Mercedes-Benz Launches Special Edition C-Class Executive SE in the UK

Following in the footsteps of the E-Class Executive SE, Mercedes-Benz has introduced a similar version of its smaller C-Class sedan with an exterior styling pack and interior upgrades. Based on the C 180 KOMPRESSOR BlueEFFICIENCY with the 156 HP engine, the C-Class Executive SE is distinguished on the outside by the Sport Grille with the integrated Mercedes-Benz star, specific 16-inch alloy wheels and chrome trim finishes for the boot lid and exhaust.

On the inside, the Executive SE gets Merc's COMMAND multimedia system that includes hard disk drive navigation, Linguatronic voice control, a 6 GB music register and a PCMCIA slot, all of which can be controlled through the upgraded multi-function steering wheel, fitted as standard

It goes on sale from November with UK prices set at £23,190.64 for the sedan and £24,390.11 for the Estate. According to the German car maker, the Executive SE models cost just £574.47 (ex VAT) more than the SE, yet offer over £2,200 worth of extras.

New Ford Fiesta Sales Surpass 500,000 Units in First Year

Just a year after its European market launch in October 2008, and the Ford Fiesta has raked over half a million sales marking a significant milestone for the company which is preparing to bring the small hatch to North America and key Asian Pacific markets next year. Following its introduction in Europe, the latest generation Fiesta was launched in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and China with global sales reaching 470,000 units through September, with 430,000 units sold in Europe and 40,000 in the Asia Pacific region.

In October, Ford sold another 50,000 units worldwide, pushing the total number beyond 500,000.

"Customers around the world are recognizing the new Fiesta delivers on the global Ford DNA -- eye-catching design, innovation, outstanding driving dynamics and great value," said Jim Farley, group vice president of global marketing and Canada, Mexico and South America.

The new Fiesta will make its first public appearance at a North American show in Los Angeles in December with sales following in the U.S. next summer.

New Opel Corsa ecoFLEX Returns 3.7lt/100km or 63.6MPG and 99g/km CO2

GM's Opel and Vauxhall divisions have revealed the new fuel-efficient and green Corsa ecoFLEX that will go on sale across Europe in January 2010. Available in both three- and five-door versions, the new Corsa ecoFLEX is powered by a 1.3-liter CDTi diesel engine with a variable geometry turbo for a total output of 95HP, or 28 per cent more power than the existing 75HP Corsa ecoFLEX.

In spite of the power increase, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are slashed by some 10 percent over the outgoing model at 3.7 lt/100 km (63.3 mpg US or 76.3 mpg UK) and 98 g/km of CO2 for the three-door or 99g/km for the five door model respectively.

To help achieve these figures, Opel tweaked the Corsa's aerodynamics by lowering the car by 20mm and optimizing the air flows via the air intakes. Furthermore, the new 175/70 tires that are roll-resistance-optimized and fitted to lighter, 14-inch steel wheels, feature newly designed and more efficient wheel caps.

The new 95HP model comes equipped with a five-speed manual transmission featuring a longer gear ratio. According to Opel, it has a top speed of 177 km/h (110mph) and needs 12.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62mph) from a standstill.