2013 Brabus Widestar 800

800 HP and 1,420 Nm !

Brabus has released an updated version of the Widestar 800 based on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG.

Two years ago Brabus revealed the G55 AMG-based Widestar 800 and now they are back with the G65 AMG variant. Showcased at the 2013 Qatar Motor Show, the high-performance SUV features a V12 6.0-liter bi-turbo engine producing an impressive 800 HP (588 kW) and 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft). However, torque is limited to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft). As a reminder, the regular G65 AMG churns "only" 612 HP (450 kW) and 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft).

Thanks to this significant power upgrade, the Widestar 800 needs only 4.2 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) and can hit an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Without the limiter, the off-roader can reach 168 mph (270 km/h). Power is sent to the permanent all-wheel drive system through a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Aside from the power hike, the G-Class has also received the usual wide body kit with sculpted fender flares, front spoiler with LED DRLs, a new look for the front grille and widened wheel wells which provide enough space for 23-inch wheels. The car in these photos rides on 23-inch nine double-spoke wheels with 305/35 R23 high-performance tires.

Brabus is also offering the electrically-adjustable Ride Control suspension co-developed with Bilstein.

Full details are available in the press release section.

Source: Brabus

via worldcarfans

Wheelsandmore works on the Ferrari FF

Wheelsandmore has prepared an upgrade kit for the Ferrari FF.

Up to 700 HP 

The program begins with a new set of 6 Sporz² ultra-light forged wheels measuring 9.5x21 and 12x22 inches (front / rear) wrapped around in Pirelli P Zero Nero rubbers. There's also a proprietary stainless steel exhaust system featuring remote-operable valve flaps. The tuner says they are working on a new coilover and springs for the FF's suspension which should bring the car closer to the ground by 25mm (0.98 inches).

The stage 1 power boost costs 3,782 EUR and includes a remapped ECU and chip tuning which lifts output from 660 HP (485 kW) and 504 lb-ft (683 Nm) to 684 HP (503 kW) and 520 lb-ft (705 Nm). Stage 2 is available for 9,244 EUR and increases power to 700 HP (515 kW) and 527 lb-ft (715 Nm) thanks to the aforementioned exhaust and an ECU upgrade.

Check out the source link below for more info.

Source: Wheelsandmore

via worldcarfans

Bmw R 1200 CR Classic Racer by Metisse

Foto: Facebook (Metisse - Premium Motorradzubehör (Motorcycle Accessories))
via Racing Café

The Beach Boys

based on

Suzuki GS400

&

Yamaha XS650

via Free Biker Magazine

Husaberg US National Enduro team shooting 2013

Cudby photos.

POETRY IN MOTION: ’80S F1 & GROUP B

 this montage shows off some perfect slo-mo examples of the cars in question on the edge and over the edge. Dust, fire, snow, smoke, cheering. Wings and bodywork barely held on. Battling oversteer, barriers, the elements, the crowd. A sensory overload of everything that was great on the tracks and stages of the 1980s.

If you want to see just how dangerous Group B was, go to 1m20 in and the Lancia 037 jumping over a crest and into a sea of people, who organically open up as the car lands before closing in behind. Or at 2m36s when the T16′s tail drift causes fans to nonchalantly jump out of the way. It was expected! You’re up front for the best view, you take your chances.

Olympic gold medallist turned political candidate berates Valentino Rossi

Valentina Vezzali is a six-time gold medallist in fencing - she won a gold and a bronze in the 2012 summer Olympics - has decided to be a politician and is a candidate for the chamber of deputies with the Monti List (Mario Monti ran the technocrat government these last 18 months and is now running for office) for the upcoming Italian general election.

Apparently the new political candidate did not appreciate Valentino Rossi’s view on voting, when he was asked his opinion on the elections during his recent interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport where he said, “I returned to Italy in 2007 but I didn’t vote last time. It looks to me like a negative situation and I might not even vote this time as I don’t have faith in any of them. We’re not doing well and it’s useless voting for one or the other. The system needs changing.”

“I’m sorry that Valentino Rossi has said he’ll not vote” commented Vezzali. “It’s a common thought among young people. The right to vote was obtained by our fathers and grandfathers and has to continue. I believe that anti-politics isn’t the tool to give confidence to the country. Valentino should vote the person that better represents his ideas and values, but he should vote. For a sports personality who is symbol for young people not voting means raising a white flag, or pulling out before the start of a race.”

Source | ansa.it via outdooorblog.it

Photo | motogp.com

via TWOWHEELSBLOG

Healing Wings: Resurrection of the ‘Lisbon SL’

The history of this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is exceptional. Formerly shipped to Lisbon, and boasting a competition history, it is now being completely restored. Classic Driver has been given an exclusive preview.

A tranquil backyard in the Stuttgart commuter belt of Markgröningen houses M&W Classic’s inconspicuous premises with its hidden entrance. This low-key environment is a good thing: if the works of automotive art that are restored here were parked on display, they would create far too much attention.
Behind the unassuming workshop walls sit ageing automotive icons: 300 SL Gullwings and Roadsters from the legendary Mercedes-Benz W198 series. Car connoisseurs Miguel Morais and Mathieu Woehrle founded the company with the aim of meticulously restoring these Stuttgart sports cars back to fighting fitness.

Around 20 of these vehicles are parked in the various workshop areas of M&W Classic, with a very special example currently stripped down to its bare aluminum shell. “This 300 SL is a recent find from Portugal,” said Woehrle. “As well as being aluminium-bodied, it is an even rarer ‘NSL’ version – one of those Gullwings that received factory-approved performance enhancements.”
Mercedes referred to the NSL performance kit as consisting of “special engine parts for sporty driving.” The dated phraseology conceals classic mechanical engine-tuning with sports-tuned exhaust systems and engine parts, which made the brilliant fuel-injected three-litre six-cylinder engine even more responsive. With more than 200bhp in a 1000kg body, the SL Gullwing was the fastest production car of its time.


The original sales invoice from Mercedes-Benz is also intact. With serial number 198040-6500045, and specified in black paint with red leather, the car was delivered on 5 March 1956 to the North German Shipping Company in Hamburg. The buyer, a C. Santos, is mentioned as awaiting delivery of the car in Lisbon, Portugal. The speedometer had recorded a delivery mileage of just 118km and the serial number also appears on the Portuguese import documents of 7 April that year.
“Such complete documentation of a classic Gullwing is just phenomenal,” says Morais. A verifiable history clearly adds to the car’s value – and also makes it far easier to undertake a full restoration. For instance all the optional equipment on this particular model is recorded, such as: ‘Disc wheels with Rudge hubs 985-198’, or an ‘extended steering column SA 944-198’ as well as the ‘Radio-Becker Le Mans with Reims adapter SA 55 041 / 1 with Hirschmann antenna’. A sample of the original paint colour was also supplied.


“This 300 SL was used for racing in Portugal, as we know from in-period race reports and photos,” says Mathieu Woehrle. This makes the car’s history even more colourful although, for the race track, the car was painted in a different, light ivory colour. Since there is such complete documentation on the race specifications of the car, including additional air-cooling to the front brakes, M&W can apply strict standards to the accurate restoration of the engine, transmission, steering, chassis and axles – even the thickness of the body shell is known, and can be maintained.

“This is all of utmost importance,” the restorers agree – and Morais and Woehrle know their stuff. Though the restoration could take up to two years, eventually this Gullwing will fly again.

Related Links Read our M&W Classic dealer portrait Many Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwings can be found in the Classic Driver Marketplace.

Text: Mathias Paulokat(ClassicDriver)
Photos: M&W Classic

Wally 'Better Place': Carbonfibre sailing yacht

Few companies have had such an impact on their industry in such a short space of time as Wally, founded in 1994. But the pioneering yachtbuilder has continued to push the boundaries, and has recently revealed ‘Better Place’: the world’s largest carbonfibre-hulled sloop.

With its cutting-edge construction and sleek, sporting lines, the 50.5-metre ‘Better Place’ claims to bring the sailing yacht into the 21st Century. Its contemporary design isn’t limited to the hull, though; the deckhouse has floor-to-ceiling windows, and an emphasis on ‘inside-out living’ throughout the interior spaces ensures an ‘airy’ atmosphere while preserving privacy.



‘Better Place’ can sleep 10-12 guests, while the saloon has seating for a group of up to 20. Meanwhile, a few steps down from the main lounge and master suite is a 30sqm terrace-on-the-sea, ideal as a lounging and swimming platform or for tender-boarding. There’s also a below-deck Jacuzzi.



Assisting the main source of propulsion is a diesel-electric Siemens engine, capable of a 14-knot top speed – and with its comparatively light displacement (250 tonnes), ‘Better Place’ should prove effortless for the 10-man crew to handle.

Related Links More information on 'Better Place' and other Wally vessels can be found at www.wally.com

Text: Joe Breeze (Classic driver)
Photos: Wally

1959 BMW Isetta Whatta Drag with 730 hp Chevrolet V8 engine

1959 BMW Isetta Whatta Drag, 1600, 29.01.2013

A heavily modified 1959 BMW Isetta will be auctioned by RM Auctions on February 16.

The one-off Isetta is powered by a supercharged Chevrolet V8 engine producing about 730 hp (544 kW) transferred to wheels through a two-speed manual gearbox. It has dual-circuit disc brakes with an AP balance bar, while the suspension is taken from an M3. The front wheels are wrapped around in B.F. Goodrich G-Force tires, while the rear custom 18x13 inch drag racing wheel has a Sumitomo HTRZ II tire.

Although developed to be fully functional, the vehicle is strictly for show and shouldn't be used on roads or track because the "massive amount of torque produced by the Chevrolet 502 motor can be dangerous if driven improperly."

The 1959 BMW Isetta Whatta Drag is expected to fetch between 75,000 - 100,000 USD.

Full details in the press release below.

Source: RM Auctions

from worldcarfans