2010 The GeigerCars Cadillac CTS-V Brute Force Powered By A Supercharged 6.2 liters V8 Engine

2010 The GeigerCars Cadillac CTS-V Brute Force

GeigerCars.de, a German tuner specialized in North American cars, has launched an upgrade program for the Cadillac CTS-V. Despite its German location, Geiger Cars shows a great passion for tuning American cars. Instead of getting even more power and torque out of neighbouring brands like the Audi RS 6, the BMW M5, or the Mercedes-Benz E 63, Geiger chose to cross the Atlantic and create a monster out of a beast.

2010 The GeigerCars Cadillac CTS-V Brute Force

The performance saloon segment has for years been the exclusive domain of German manufacturers, for vehicles like the Audi RS6, the BMW M5 or the new Mercedes E63 AMG set the bar so high that most others don't even try to compete. So it's all the more surprising that the American Cadillac of all brands has suddenly hit back with the CTS-V, a lighting ride which has left a good many journalists pale-faced and shaken after test drives. 564 series HP and a massive maximum torque of 747 Nm are a clear challenge to Munich, Ingolstadt and Stuttgart.

2010 The GeigerCars Cadillac CTS-V Brute Force

What is more, Cadillac is now marketing the CTS-V in Europe for 74,400.00 euros - which needless to say leaves its German competitors trailing on the price-performance front.

Tradition, as everyone knows, is an obligation to deliver. That is why GeigerCars.de is offering special performance tuning for the Cadillac CTS-V, timed to coincide with the American performance saloon's European launch.

2010 The GeigerCars Cadillac CTS-V Brute Force

The four-door Cadillac with the tapered bonnet, The Cadillac CTS-V already comes packed to the hilt with a supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8 based on the LS9 V8 from the Corvette ZR1. In its raw form it makes 415kW (564hp) at 5900rpm and 747Nm of torque. Not content, Geiger engineers upped the charge pressure releasing 455kW (619hp) and 850Nm of torque - a level few sports cars can match, and called it Brute Force. Drive is still thrusted upon the 6-speed gearbox and the rear wheels, although fifth and sixth gears are shortened. Top speed is rated at over 330km/h (205mph).

2010 The GeigerCars Cadillac CTS-V Brute Force

One thing is for sure: the Geiger Cadillac CTS-V shoots into action in all situations and keeps a joyful grin on its driver's face in every one of its manual gears. Not only that, but its optimised chassis means the CTS-V offers the perfect balance between long-distance comfort and an uncompromising hunger for curves and speed. In the face of such American sports perfection, we can only say "hats off"!". Geiger gives assurances that the car is a good compromise between a long-distance cruiser and a sharp, agile cornering machine. It can be had for �84,900, just �10,500 more than what Cadillac charges for the standard vehicle in Europe

2010 The GeigerCars Cadillac CTS-V Brute Force

Technical data, Geiger Cadillac CTS-V :
Engine: 6.2 liters V8 with compressor, increased charge pressure
Power: 619 HP at 5900 rpm
Max. torque: 850 Nm at 4000 rpm Bore x stroke: 103.2 x 92.0mm
Drive: rear-wheel drive
Gears: 6-gear transmission; 5th and 6th gear shortened
Brakes: ventilated disc brakes at front and rear
Top speed: 330km/h
Price: 84,900.00 euros

2010 Jaguar XF Luxurious Sports Sedan The New levels of luxury, dynamics and technology

2010 Jaguar XF Luxurious Sports Sedan

The new Jaguar XF is already acclaimed as a key element in the revitalization of the Jaguar brand, with its new generation of beautiful fast cars. But now the car that defines Jaguar sporting luxury is even better, with major powertrain changes and a wider range of models - including a stunning new, supercharged Jaguar XFR.

2010 Jaguar XF Luxurious Sports Sedan

Every XF is designed to make its owner feel special. Every XF combines the practical appeal of refinement and space with the emotional appeal of luxurious interiors, intelligently chosen features and exceptional craftsmanship.The new 2010 Model Year XF also offers distinctive new identifying details, including new alloy wheel styles. The new 19-inch Artura wheel is available in two optional finishes, depending on market � chromed, as an option in North America , or painted as an option for all markets.

2010 Jaguar XF Luxurious Sports Sedan

Contemporary, individual and beautifully crafted, the XF has the soul of a sports car, the style and sophistication of a luxury four-door saloon and the visual excitement of coupe. Delivering high performance, excellent refinement and outstanding dynamic ability, the XF is true to Jaguar's philosophy of creating beautiful, fast cars.The new XF challenge the rules, delivering that unique Jaguar personality summed up in the two words: �Sporting Luxury'. The new XF range offers a superb blend of performance, value and contemporary desirability, all of which means that Jaguar's acclaimed XF has now moved even further ahead in the sports saloon market. All-new AJ-V8 Gen III petrol engines and new AJ-V6D Gen III diesel engines � all delivering more power and more performance with comparable or better fuel economy and emissions than the engines they supersede.The new 3.0-litre AJ-V6D Gen III engine makes its debut in the 2010 Model Year XF.

2010 Jaguar XF Luxurious Sports Sedan

The twin sequential turbocharged engine is available as the 275PS/600Nm S or a 240PS/500Nm version. Both offer exceptional efficiency and refinement and in the case of the Diesel S accelerate from 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds. All-new AJ-V8 Gen III petrol engines and new AJ-V6D Gen III diesel engines � all delivering more power and more performance with comparable or better fuel economy and emissions than the engines they supersede.The new 3.0-litre AJ-V6D Gen III engine makes its debut in the 2010 Model Year XF. The twin sequential turbocharged engine is available as the 275PS/600Nm S or a 240PS/500Nm version. Both offer exceptional efficiency and refinement and in the case of the Diesel S accelerate from 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds.

2010 Jaguar XF Luxurious Sports Sedan

And alongside these new engines, the naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine will continue to play a key role for the Jaguar XF and will be available starting January 2009. Customers will be able to order the latest naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 versions of the new Jaguar XF range from January 2009.The 510bhp supercharged V8 XFR will be available to order from February 2009.

SpeedART Turbo Porsche Panamera Sports Car Saloon 4.8 liter twin turbo V8 Engine.

SpeedART Turbo Porsche Panamera Sports Car

German tuner and Porsche specialist SpeedART celibrates its 10th birthday. As a celebration they have created an exhaust package for the Porsche Panamera Turbo.The PS9 package for the German sports saloon ups the ante with numerous aero add-ons and a bevy of performance upgrades. The Sport-Abgas system provides your Panamera with a more raw sound and twenty extra horses.

The Essen Motor Show, which runs from November 28 to December 6 and is best described as Europe�s answer to SEMA, will see Porsche tuning shop, SpeedART, revealing its take on the Panamera.

SpeedART Turbo Porsche Panamera Sports Car

The kit brings the total output to 520bhp. The sprint of the 4.8 liter twin turbo V8 will probably be hit the 4.0 seconds. Top speed will not increase a lot but 303km/h (190mph) isn�t too bad for a four-door sedan.Set to be officially unveiled at the Essen Motor Show, the range topping PS9 features 650 hp and 890 Nm of torque thanks to bigger turbochargers, a sport exhaust system (with a sound switch), a sport catalyst, and a revised ECU. These changes enable the car to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds, before hitting a top speed in excess of 200 mph. If 650 hp is too hot to handle, the company also offers more modest performance packages that allow the engine to produce 550 and 600 hp.SpeedART claims that the most powerful version of the car accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 3.5 seconds and goes on to achieve a top speed in excess of 320km/h or 200mph.

SpeedART Turbo Porsche Panamera Sports Car

In terms of styling, the PS9 is outfitted with an aerodynamic body kit which consists of a front chin spoiler, hood vents, a rear diffuser, a roof spoiler, a modified rear bumper (with air outlets), and aggressive side skirts. Other design details include 22-inch three-piece 'LSC FORGED' wheels and the aforementioned sport exhaust system (available in polished stainless steel or matt black).Inside, the cockpit will get a SpeedART steering wheel with F1-shift paddles, real carbon-fiber trim and accents, new leather upholstery with colored stitches and a revised instrument panel.At the back, we see a new bumper, and the trapezoidal exhaust pipes. A new rear spoiler will also be mounted.

SpeedART Turbo Porsche Panamera Sports Car

For the interior, SpeedART added a sport steering wheel with F1-shift paddles (which can be outfitted with aluminum-, wood- or carbon fiber inlays), carbon fiber trim, contrast stitching on the door panels and seats, revised instrument dials, and exclusive floor mats.

SpeedART Turbo Porsche Panamera Sports Car

Porsche Panamera goes for a cool RM1 million and up...only in Malaysia.

If you have ever owned a Porsche 2-door coupe/cabriolet be it the 986/987 Boxster/Cayman or the iconic 911, you must have felt frustrated at some point in time that you cannot share your Porsche experience beyond your other-half, better-half or whatever, best friend/pal/associate and at best, plus two midgets at the back �seats� of a 911.

Porsche AG seems to have an answer to this dilemma of generosity, for those who do not want a cumbersome and not-so-handsome vehicle of an SUV like the Cayenne. Enter: Porsche's four-seater Gran Tourismo, the Panamera, which made a grand entrance to Malaysia at its official launch at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, last Saturday evening.

The event was graced by His Excellency the German Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Gunter Gruber and the cars were launched by Dato' Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of Jaseri Automotive Group, the official importer of Porsche in Malaysia.

As its first four-door sports sedan/coupe, the Panamera is Porsche's answer to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8. Three variants are available, the Panamera S, 4S and Turbo - the first two are powered by a 400hp/ 500Nm capable 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8 with the difference being RWD and AWD. As with the 911 sports car, the top of the range is the Panamera Turbo sporting a twin-turbo charged V8, 4.8-litre engine that produces 500hp/700Nm combo!

According to Mokhzani, the best thing about the Panamera is its impressive lo fuel consumption, with claim figures of 10.8L per 100km for the S, 11.1L per 100km for the 4S and 12.1L per 100km for the Turbo. "This is achieved through technology and lightweight construction of the body such as the axles, bonnet, wings, doors and tailgate that are made of aluminium, the window frames and cylinder head cover from magnesium, among others. This saves on weight, and therefore fuel," he said.

The Panamera as with other Porsches, is highly customable: available in eight interior decor styles, six interior colours and four two-tone finishes in several leather variants.
The Panamera S retails from RM998, 000 (manual transmission), while the 4S is from RM1,118,000. The top-of-the-range Panamera Turbo will start from RM1,398,000. For more information, visit www.porsche.com, or visit your nearest Porsche Centre (Glenmarie in Shah Alam, KL City Centre or Penang).

New Honda Civic Type-R Sedan!

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the all-new Civic Type R, a pure sports edition of the Civic sedan, with further enhanced driving performance. The new Civic Type R will go on sale throughout Japan on Friday, 30th March 2007.

This new Civic Type R was developed to make the driver feel at one with the car for the ultimate driving experience in all driving conditions, even for track use. Equipped with a specially tuned 2.0-liter normally aspirated engine matched to a 6-speed manual transmission, it promises an engaging drive. A lighter, more rigid body shell, specially tuned suspension, 18-inch tyres and large 17-inch front disc brakes contribute to the Civic Type R�s ability ensures this. Newly developed aerodynamic devices further enhance high-speed performance while giving the wide and low form a more aggressive look. Front bucket seats, a unique instrument panel and other performance accessories contribute to a high performance experience.Type R models are specially tuned to take full advantage of the potential of the base model and provide a racing car-like driving feel. First offered on the NSX in 1992, the Type R range was extended to the Integra in 1995, and the Civic in 1997. This latest all-new Civic Type R is the distillation of 15 years of technological progress and the latest expression of Honda�s �Challenging Spirit.�

The exterior employs a pure sports one-motion form design with aerodynamically advanced surface treatment and sharp edges. Newly developed aerodynamic devices include a large air intake in the front bumper and grille, a rear bumper with built-in rear diffuser, a high-mount rear spoiler, and extended side sill garnishes, giving the car an aggressive overall appearance.

The overall black colour scheme gives the interior cockpit a racing car-like appearance, bringing the driver closer at one with the car. The front bucket seats are specially designed for Type R. Separate centre plus side construction with high side bolsters and optimized cushion rates help hold the body in place, helping the driver concentrate on driving.

The multiplex i-VTEC engine revolution indicator alerts the driver that engine speed is approaching maximum allowed revolutions. Self-illuminated, lit with red-colored flashing lights and is strategically located for minimum eye movement in circuit and other high speed driving conditions.

Other performance-oriented features include a small-diameter, genuine leather oval steering wheel, an aluminum ball-type shift knob, a short stroke sports shift linkage, metal sports-type pedals and footrest, and a separate, button-type engine starter.

Engine:

A higher compression ratio and improved breathing efficiency help the naturally-aspirated K20A 2.0L i-VTEC engine output a maximum of 225PS @ 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm @ 6,100 rpm. NSX production methods contribute to smoother port surfacing, improving intake/exhaust airflow. Drive-By-Wire (DBW) provides for finer tuning of throttle response and power output.
Optimum tuning of intake and exhaust manifolds provides for high output at high engine speed while also improving torque characteristics over a broad engine speed range.

Transmission:

� A close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission is matched to the Type R engine.
� Optimized gear ratios offer superior accelerations at high speeds, providing exhilarating performance.
� New features include a highly rigid aluminum transmission case while the addition of a baffle plate helps mitigate oil starvation at high cornering speeds.
� A short stroke shift linkage contributes to a sporty shifting feel.

Lightweight Body/Chassis:

� The highly rigid Civic body and its advanced layout serves as the basis for an even more highly rigid, yet lightweight Type R body. Measures to enhance body rigidity while reducing weight have translated into a body that is 50% more rigid than in the Integra Type R of model year 2001 to 2006.
� Specially tuned suspension, high performance 18-inch tyres, a torque-sensitive helical limited slip differential, large disc brakes for improved fade resistance and other performance-enhancing features contribute to higher cornering performance and stability.
� The specially tuned suspension boasts revised spring and damping rates, and thicker stabilizer bars for improved vehicle stability.
� 225/40R18-sized high-performance Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tyres.
� Brembo 17-inch disc brake with 4-pot aluminium front calipers.
� Specially-tuned ABS/EBD system.
� Special lightweight 18-inch aluminium wheels are matched to black wheel nuts.

Source: Honda Motor Co. Press Release

On the local scene, it is unlikely that Honda Malaysia will offer this top-spec Civic sports sedan in the future.

BMW M5: To Dream or Not To Dream?

By Peter Lee

The BMW M5 is a sports car for the family man. If you want to drive relaxingly it will accommodate you. It you fancy your heart beating faster, just step on the accelerator pedal. The torque build-up is so civilised and makes handling the car so much easier and less scary.

If I have the money I would surely have one in my garage�but let�s get logical for a minute:
1. The 4,999cc annual road tax will kill me.
2. The regular service costs will also make me a pauper.
3. The petrol consumption is a sin.
4. If you drive the car to a hotel, nobody can really tell the difference between a real M5 and a 525i dressed in M-clothes.
5. The amount of thrill versus money spent cannot compare to a 335i coupe or a Porsche Cayman S.
6. You are acting very irresponsibly if you drive an M5 like a monkey with your family in it.

The M5 costs a cool RM900K. This amount of money can buy you a Porsche Cayman S plus say, a BMW 320i. If you are willing to stretch you budget a little more, perhaps even a 523i. This combination saves you on road taxes. You will grab more attention if you arrive at a plush hotel or any glitzy social function in a Porsche. When you drive a Cayman S, there is no way you can take your family along, so there are no baggage of responsibility bogging you down when you need to speed. The 320i or 523i can be a regular car for business meetings and yet trash around without too much worry about servicing bills. Last but not the least, you get 2 cars to pick from, according to your whim and fancies!

In summary, the M5 is a stunning car that is a confirmed aphrodisiac for the super-rich speed junkie. For the rest of us, it is just an elusive and impractical dream.

Mr Peter Lee guest writes for this blog based on his test drive experience of the M5. He is currently undecided between the Porsche Cayman S, BMW 335i coupe or the upcoming Mercedes-Benz (W204) C350 Sport.