PROJECT XFR: Custom Exhaust & K&N Air Filters

Project XFR – run by Roadie, and eternal modifier Andy Robinson – has had an exhausting time of late. And that's not because it's been caning the miles (quite the opposite in fact, in all this wet, traction-free weather where a V8 speedboat is better transport for many), but because it's been getting a custom stainless steel exhaust system ad K&N air filters installed (feel free to groan at that 'joke'… what can I say? It's early).
You can read the full story on the Road Project Cars' section of our cool website here. Just click on the Project XFR link at the top and/or feel free to scroll down through our other Project S4 and Project P38 V6 and V8 project reports on our website. You will find… we like V-engines here at Road HQ! You should find plenty to amuse on there… and supported via Facebook & Twitter too. 

PRODUCT: Shell V-Power Nitro+ Fuels

Performance car drivers may have noticed a new fuel being promoted by Shell – their V-Power Nitro+ Unleaded (& V-Power Nitro+ Diesel) – which the giant fuel brand says "is our best performance unleaded fuel," developed in conjunction with Scuderia Ferrari and featuring the very latest in Friction Modification Technology (FMT)… which sounds impressive, right?!

Put in simples idiot speak – the smart fuel cleans combustion deposits from inside the critical valve areas of your engine, which cause friction. Friction causes heat, which saps power: Less dirt = less friction = less heat = more power/efficiency. Gottit at the back?   

The new, high octane Super Unleaded V-Power Nitro + and V-Power Nitro + Diesel fuels are designed to actively clean engines, and start working start away, reducing power-sapping engine deposits with a special "unique double action formulation"containing 25% more friction reducer than previous Shell V-Power products. 

More than 120 boffins at Shell and Ferrari have combined more than 100 years high quality fuel production experience to develop the new Nitro+ V-Power range – aiming to produce a performance (and mpg) enhancing range of higher octane, cleaner performance fuels. 

A Shell spokesperson said: "Shell and Ferrari share one of the most long-standing and successful partnerships in Formula One history. As a result, Shell V-Power Nitro+ Unleaded has been developed by the same team of scientists that develop the Shell V-Power race fuels we supply to Scuderia Ferrari in the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship."
"Not all premium unleaded fuels are the same. Using lower quality products can lead to deposit build-up that disrupts the mixing of fuel and air, resulting in incomplete combustion. Shell V-Power Nitro+ Unleaded is designed to clean your engine, instantly getting to work on these deposits – unlocking hidden engine performance."

We've been trying the fuel on our twin-turbo V6 Project S4 & our new 4.6-litre V8 Range Rover (project details coming soon in 2014), and whilst we've not had the cars on the dyno to see if there is a tangible power hike, the Audi has certainly responded strongly – feeling more spritely and also returning its best ever mpg on a recent road trip, at 29! And the old V8 in the Range Rover Vogue seems to feel more alive and loves lapping it up too – but it'll quad any fuel at an alarming rate! 

Best of all, the price difference at the pumps between regular unleaded and the new V-Power Nitro+ seems to be lower than it used to be. So, for added bite and efficiency, we reckon it's worth the few extra quid on a fill up. Try it for yourself and see… 

PROJECT S4: Auto Genie Pro Valet

Poor 15-year-old Project S4 has been a bit neglected of late, so we thought we'd give her a Summer treat with a professional valet by the Auto Genie.

Here she was before:

And after:

Read the full, impressive story on our website here.

NEWS: InFlux_08 Magazine Launch & Auto Art Exhibition

The fabulous InFlux Magazine produced by Adrian Flux Insurance (who superbly insure our tuned Project S4) is having an exciting auto art exhibition event in London tomorrow – to launch Influx_08 "a very special print edition of the innovative multi-platformed magazine on car and bike culture." Cool doesn't even come close!
The London launch event includes guest speakers, film shows and live music along with the exhibition with includes some amazing bespoke artwork commissioned for the launch of Influx_08: These 15 full colour digital treatments and painstakingly hand-wrought takes on the mechanics of speed were specially commissioned by InFlux and are said to be "stunningly original pieces of work." Artist Oscar Wilson, for example, pays spectacular homage to the Maserati marque, Millie Marotta evokes the V12 engine as a beautiful endangered species, and Kate Copeland renders the symmetrical beauty of a Moto Guzzi cafe racer as you’ve never seen it before. Auto, design, art and culture fans will not be disappointed.
The talented team at InFlux says: "Reflecting the core values of its founder, Influx magazine has approached the coverage of cars and bikes as things that move the soul as well as the body. The exhibition focuses on this spirit-enhancing aspect of car and bike culture."
We wish the superb digital InFlux magazine all the luck with their launch event and every success with the printed Influx_08. Sign up for the magazine here. And follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.
The launch event takes place at 71A Leonard Street, 18th April at 1830.
Oh, and happy 40th anniversary to Adrian Flux Insurance this year!

PROJECT S4: Powerflex Bush Kit, Whiteline Swaybar & Tarox Rear Kit Report

We've just got our tuned twin turbo V6 Project S4 back from Dave Green at www.hensteadmotors.com – complete with new Powerflex (http://www.powerflex.co.uk) bush kit, Whiteline rear anti-roll bar/swaybar and camber/caster kit (http://www.whiteline.com.au) and Tarox rear brake upgrade (http://en.tarox.com) – ready for some track day action with RMA soon. The effects are simply staggering. Read all about the test so far at our Project Cars section of the Road website: http://www.roadmagazine.co.uk/project-cars. And look out for a big power BMW and crazy EVO project cars coming soon too. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more pictures and updates too:
https://twitter.com/#!/roadmagazine and http://www.facebook.com/roadmagblog

PROJECT CARS: Project S4 Track Preparation

Project S4, our old dog leaning new tricks, is getting ready for some track time later this "Summer" (good job it's equipped with Quattro in this weather!). We're just about to go up to our good pal Dave Green's garage at Henstead Motors (http://www.henstead-motorsport.co.uk/) to fit a raft of suspension upgrades and finish off the brake kit fit, in preparation for some track days, end of this season and into Autumn and Winter (we like to slide). First up, we're about to fit the Tarox (http://en.tarox.com/) grooved, heat-treated, hand finished solid rear discs and re-bleed the system to maximum stopping power, fade-free on track as it has been on the road, we hope. Great piece of kit. Then we are setting about optimising the S4's suspension – already upgraded with Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, which are fabulous. We're fitting a full set of Powerflex (http://www.powerflex.co.uk/) high performance Polyurethane suspension bushes, replacing 12-year-old rubber with 30% stiffer, longer lasting polybushes, which should reduce tyre wear, increase braking and cornering stability and reduce inertia no end... not to mention match the Bilsteins in upping the grip level, further still. High hopes for these innovative, great value products. Speaking of grip, we're also fitting an upgraded, heavy duty rear swaybar (anti-roll bar or stabiliser bar to some), along with camber and caster inducing chassis control devices from Australian suspension genius brand, Whiteline (http://www.whiteline.com.au/). Most effective, best value modification you can make to your suspension... just maybe?  
Read all the latest posts on our website Project Car section here: http://www.roadmagazine.co.uk/project-cars/

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