NEWS: "Fastest Station Wagon In The World" – E61 M5 Touring by G-Power

Celebrating 30 years of big BMW power, German tuning company G-Power has launched the new “RR” version for the BMW M5/M6 Bi-Kompressor-System, based on a BMW M5 E61 Touring, with a whopping 820bhp – claiming it's "the fastest station wagon in the world." And knocking out 224mph, who can argue?
The new supercharged V10 beast follows on from the 2010 a G-Power M5 Hurricane (sedan), which became the world’s fastest sedan, first by clocking 367.4 km/h (228mph), then 372.1 km/h (231mph)!
The new G-Power M5 Hurricane RR Touring offers:
- 820 hp (603 kW) @7,500 rpm (+ 313 hp / 230 kW over standard M5 power)
- 790 Nm @ 5,000 rpm (+ 270 Nm)
- V-max: 362 km/h (limited), 224mph
- 0-100 km/h: 4.4s
- 0-200 km/h: 9.5s
- 0-300 km/h: 25.6s
Quite impressive stats eh?
G-Power says: "Of course the G-Power Hurricane RR Touring sets new performance standards not just for top speed: With sprint times of less than 4.4 seconds from standstill to 100 km/h, 9.5 seconds to 200 km/h and 25.6 seconds to 300 km/h, the two-ton station wagon is at the head of the pack in these categories as well. But that’s not all. The price for the G-Power M5/M6 V10 Bi-Kompressor-System during the “GP Edition 30 Years” promotion might be a surprise, too – € 7.300 excluding VAT. 

"The secret behind the unrivalled price of the G-Power supercharger systems is founded in constant evolution process of the system that allows in its current state use of state-of-the-art production processes and that fore the methods of serial production. The supercharger mounting plates for the two powerful ASA T1-316 superchargers and the complete air ducting, for example, are made from lightweight cast aluminium. Based on the world wide unique serial production of aftermarket supercharger systems with large numbers, along with the experience gained from more than 150 installed M3 V10 Bi-Kompressor-Systems after its introduction six years ago and the continuously product development, it is possible to constantly offer high level quality at this unrivalled low price."

The new cars also features 20-inch G-Power Silverstone wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres measuring 255/35 ZR 20 and 285/30 ZR 20. And handling is also enhanced by the G-Power G5-RS coil over suspension, with a scary nine-way adjustability for compression and rebound plus infinitely variable height adjustment. Then there's the much-neded enhanced brake set-up, with G-Power's own Hurricane spec brae conversion, with a disc diameter of 396 mm on the front and 380 mm on the rear, combined with 6 and 4-pot callipers respectively – offering deceleration forces upwards of 1g. Or they offer a ceramic brake set-up to reduce unsprung mass by 50%.

G-Power adds: "The new RR Touring does not only set benchmarks in performance, but also when it comes to individuality and exclusivity. The interior of the M5 Touring, upholstered by G-Power in premium leather and Alcantara offers an impressive proof of what is possible above and beyond “BMW Individual” equipment. The painstaking work carried out by hand by our craftsmen goes far beyond simply upholstering virtually every surface with the finest grades of leather and Alcantara. In contrast to many leather workshops, we take the time to reshape the original BMW seat cushions. Only thanks to this unique technology can the distinctive look created by G-Power be achieved in combination with an optimum synthesis of comfort and lateral grip." 

The interior upgrade includes front seats, rear seats and the door panels – even the floor mats and the trunk cover has been made from premium leather and covered with stitching – G-Power logos in the front seats and the headlining set tasteful accents in this sophisticated composition of Carbon, leather and Alcantara. Then there's a powerful audio system, electric powered iPads in the rear of the front seats, a lowerable main monitor from the headlining and an Apple iMac incl. Apple TV enable leisure time or productive work according to the desires of the car’s owner. 

G-Power add: "The special highlight of the multimedia entertainment system is the centered control of each component, like for example the interior lights or all electrical powered elements (iPads, main monitor and Carbon folding tables) through the G-Power app, exclusively developed for this purpose."          
Quite an incredible package, I think you will agree?

Although maybe the colour of the demo car could have been different…?! BL-ing!

G-POWER:
Formed in 1983, the G-Power brand has created some insane cars, holding various world records. including:
- Fastest BMW sedan with 730hp G-POWER M5 HURRICANE and a top speed of 360 km/h
- Fastest LPG-powered car with the 660hp G-POWER M5 HURRICANE GS and a top speed of 333 km/h
- Fastest Sedan with the 750hp G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RS on the ATP high-speed oval in Papenburg with a measured top speed of 367.4 km/h. G-POWER exceeded its own record with the 800hp G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RR with a top speed of 372 km/h
- Fastest 4-seater coupe with the 750hp G-POWER M6 HURRICANE CS and a top speed of 370 km/h
- Fastest station wagon with the 820hp G-POWER M5 Touring HURRICANE RR and a top speed of over 362 km/h (governed)
- Fastest BMW 1 Series with the 600hp G1 V8 HURRICANE RS and a top speed of over 330 km/h
- Fastest BMW M3 V8 with the 580hp G-POWER M3 SK II and a top speed of over 333 km/h 

PROJECT P38 V8: Janspeed Exhaust System

Our ace Project P38 V8 Range Rover gets to sing it's V8 tune loud and proud, thanks to an incredible Janspeed exhaust cat back stainless steel system this week. You can read the full fit & test feature on our website here. Enjoy!

PROJECT CARS: Project P38 V8 LPG Articles

For the past year, we've been running a iconic Land Rover Range Rover V8 top-spec, 4.6-litre Vogue as a project car. We bought it at auction (which is a right laugh), and have been slowly enhancing it, fixing stuff and generally fettling it to make it a better vehicle.
So, if this sort of V8, LPG, tuning, product testing, 4x4 and spannering stuff floats your boat, you can read the first two instalments on 'Project P38 V8' here on the Road Magazine website. There are 11 instalments in total. Enjoy V8 fans!

NEWS: 600bhp & Ring-Record R35 Nismo GT-R Unveiled

Nissan's much-anticipated tuning partner, Nismo, has unveiled details of its (TBC) Ring-record-slaying (7:08.679!!!) "dreams come true" – if predictably named – Nissan GT-R Nismo.
See it's mega lap record video here.
The "race-oriented" model delivers "factory tuned" supercar dynamics with revolutionary enhanced aerodynamics and ultra-precise handling.
Undeniably, the Nissan GT-R is already established as one of the best performing supercars in the automotive sphere, and now Nissan has drawn on decades of racing experience gathered by Nismo, the brand's motorsport specialists, to develop the ultimate Nissan GT-R.
The Nissan GT-R Nismo features exclusive styling that embraces the longstanding racing philosophy of form following function. It has numerous motorsports-inspired technologies to enhance the car's performance through optimised aerodynamics, suspension and powertrain, creating a well-balanced machine that is at home on both the road and track.
The Nissan GT-R Nismo will be available in Japan in late February 2014, U.S. and Europe later in 2014.
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says this is the fastest Nissan GT-R ever. "With a 7:08.679 lap time, we can authoritatively say that the Nissan GT-R Nismo* holds the volume production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe, which is the gold standard of high performance achievement."

Nissan GT-R Nismo Overview - Flagship of the Nismo lineup

1. Mechanical Features
Nissan GT-R Nismo employs innovation, uncompromising engineering and motorsports-inspired technologies to achieve new levels of power, speed and handling.

Engine:

• Under the hood, the 3.8-litre V6 VR38DETT engine benefits from the know-how that Nismo has gained from participating in such events as the world-renowned Nürburgring 24 hour race. Engine power has risen and is now rated at 600hp (441kw) and 481 lb ft (652 Nm) of torque.
• New high-flow, large diameter turbochargers, which are used for GT3 racing, improve breathing, while optimised individual ignition timing control for each cylinder and upgraded fuel pump improve combustion.

Chassis:

• The suspension setup,is inspired by that of the Nismo racing GT-R and tuned for stunning agility, road-holding and handling finesse, without compromising refinement.
• The springs and custom-developed Bilstein DampTronic dampers in the front and rear suspension are specially tuned to deliver exceptional grip levels and progressive handling response at the limit. Three suspension modes can be selected: Comfort, Normal and R, for circuit applications.
• Exclusive Nismo tyres - developed by Dunlop - exhibit outstanding grip and handling characteristics. Front: 255/40 ZRF20; rear 285/35 ZRF20.
• Specially-developed links fitted to the front double wishbone suspension increase castor trail to optimise wheel position during high-G cornering and improve straight-line and cornering stability. Additionally, large high-rigidity bolts are used to increase stiffness of the wheel-hub attachment area.
• To minimize body-roll during cornering and changes of direction, the Nissan GT-R Nismo features a 17.3 mm hollow rear anti-roll bar which raises roll stiffness while reducing weight.

Body construction:

• Increased rigidity in the bodyshell is achieved using adhesive bonding in addition to spot welding leading to precise suspension response under extreme load, the Nismo "factory tuned" enhancement.

2. Exterior design - Exclusive styling with improved aerodynamics:

• Using the latest Computational Fluid Dynamic simulation techniques to analyse airflow, Nismo has developed an aero package that improves road-holding, minimises the negative impact of drag, while giving the car a menacing and muscular appearance.
• Together, the front bumper, engine undercover strake and carbon rear spoiler increase downforce, lowering the centre of gravity and generating an additional 100kg (at 300km/h) compared to the freshly updated 2014 GT-R model. The car's aerodynamic characteristics are tuned to ensure the downforce is equally spread front to rear at all speeds for progressive handling characteristics. A widened front bumper configuration and elongated yet tapered rear bumper design keep the drag to Cd 0.26, the same as that of 2014 Nissan GT-R.
• The Nissan GT-R Nismo will be available in five body colors: Brilliant White Pearl, Meteor Flake Pearl Black, Ultimate Metallic Silver and Vibrant Red. And unique to the GT-R Nismo model, a Dark Matte Grey accentuates the car's imposing exterior muscularity.
• The GT-R Nismo's black 6-spoke wheels are inspired by Nissan's legendary GT500 race car.

3. Interior:

• The Nissan GT-R Nismo cockpit inspires driver confidence through both its craftsmanship and optimised driving position.
• Ergonomically sculpted carbon-fibre-backed reclining RECARO seats (Europe/Japan) comfortably, yet firmly, support the driver and front-seat passenger.
• Nismo racers influenced the design of the steering wheel which is dressed in Alcantara®, with three spokes, red centre mark and red stitching to give the best combination of grip, feedback and comfort.
• The combi meter has carbon-like finish, and tachometer features a red design. The meter hood is also dressed with Alcantara®.
• Interior trim features include discreet red stitching on the seats, centre console, door trim and steering wheel.

See lots more pics of the new road car and the Ring record car here.

PROJECT CARS: Meet Our New Cool Cat Project XFR "Jaaaaag!"

"My foot slipped" says Road Magazine pal, Andy Robinson – as he gets to grips with his new car and our new Project car, a super cool cat, 503bhp supercharged V8 Jaguar XFR.
Good old Andy has already taken the fast feline up the drag strip too, just days after picking it up (top man!) and you can read the first of many instalments on the new Project XFR – which will feature a fair number of tuning enhancements – on our Project Car section of the Road website here.
And see a whole bank of images on our Facebook page too.
Do let Andy and Team Road know what you think as the project progresses... and keep your eyes peeled for more rapid project cars coming later this Summer...

NEWS: 2013 Time Attack Championship

Less than a week to go until the start of the 2013 Time Attack UK Championship – with the first round at Cadwell Park, on April 1st bank holiday Monday. You going?
To help get you in the mood, here's a great video from Togethia TV from the 2012 Cadwell event – a wet old affair, most likely as this year will be. At least the turbo cars will enjoy all the cold air there is at the moment.
This year features some new tyre regulations and the usual multiple classes for Club Challenge and Pro entries, in FWD, RWD and 4WD groups – so plenty of silverware to play for.
And the 2013 dates and venues are well spread across the UK at a good range of superb fast and flowing and tight and technical circuits, for a fair fight:
Round 1 – 1st April, Cadwell Park
Round 2 – 11th May, Croft
Round 3 – 9th June, Snetterton
Round 4 – 20th July, Oulton Park
Round 5 (Pro class) – 8th September, Silverstone
Round 5 (Club class) – 14th September, Donington
Round 6 Finale – 29th September, Brands Hatch
The series created in 2005 is looking like developing on another notch this year – so expect plenty of close competition and some really great sprint cars and (some race) drivers in all classes. We're particularly looking forward to seeing if Simon Deaton's Porsche GT3 R factory-fettled race ace can compete against the big power 'point and squirt' turbo nutters in the Pro class, even with 'only' 500bhp against some cars with nigh-on 1,000bhp. But there's many a battle to enjoy. So, check out a round near you – Time Attack is a great sprint series that deserves your support. You'll have a great day spectating. Or, why not enter your car as a OHW (One Hit Wonder)? It's great value and great fun racing, with less risk of damage and a super friendly paddock of new friends in the making. Get involved!
Find out more at the Time Attack website. Good luck everyone!

VIDEO: Pipercross Autosport International 2013 Promo

It's the Autosport Show, January 10-13th, and everyone's trying to get media and customer attention, so it's PR mania. We spotted this promotional video for Pipercross performance air filters and thought it worked nicely. Likey?

VIDEO: Fensport Toyota GT86 VS Croft

Here is the wicked Fensport GT86 taking 1st in class and 3rd overall at the brilliant Toyota Sprint Series Round IV at the fabulously fast Croft circuit. The car is only a couple of month's into its development into a perfect sprint car, ready for a title assault in 2013 and you can see the full story in the latest issue of Road Magazine, FREE at: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_30_small/1

And keep up to date with Fensport's Project GT86 at: http://www.fensport.co.uk/FensportCars/GT86.aspx

VIDEO: Fensport Celica GT4 X @ Goodwood Festival of Speed

Want to know what Toyota tuners Fensport are capable of? Check out their 818bhp Celica GT4X blasting the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb course in 2011, taking 4th overall. Monster!
Check out their rapidly-developing sprint GT86 in the latest FREE issue of Road Magazine at: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_30_small/1
Expect more for 2013...

NEWS: Scion FR-S (Toyota GT86) Tuned Versions Rock SEMA

What sort of Scion FR-S (USA Toyota GT86) would you create with a $15,000 budget and three months? Well, three lucky USA tuners got the opportunity to do just that and created three very different versions for the SEMA show, on right now. See them all and read the fully story on the excellent Toyota blog: http://blog.toyota.co.uk/scion-fr-s-tuners-to-rock-sema.
And stay tuned here on the blog and new look www.roadmagazine.co.uk website tomorrow, for our own GT86/BRZ special issue of Road Magazine, featuring three fabulous UK-tuned versions. And see more images and info backstage at www.facebook.com/roadmagblog.

And read what we thought of standard and tuned GT86's and BRZ's in the latest FREE issue of Road Magazine: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_30_small/1

VIDEO: Driftmonkey Mental Gatebil 2012 Show Video

Want something to wake you up and stimulate you this Monday morning? Watch these two cults in action – the Driftmonkey team (Erik Kallin, Reidar Andresen and James Deane) and the incredibly brilliant and bonkers Gatebil show in Rudskogen, Norway. 

If you have never heard of either, this will blow your mind... 

Brilliant film shot and edited by Zero Media: http://www.facebook.com/zeromediatv

Find our more about Team Driftmonkey here: http://www.themonkeylife.com 

And Gatebil here: https://www.facebook.com/gatebilface 

Or just have fun typing Gatebil into google images... 

Try it, and see what I mean chaps! 

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/

And like and follow us on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/roadmagblog

NEWS: Zircotec Protects 3000bhp World Record Dragster

Our clever pals at Zircotec have been busy protecting Europe’s fastest street legal drag car from the heat of competition and the force of 3000bhp. Zircotec’s heat shield materials and ceramic coatings (www.zircotec.com) protect engine components, bodywork and driver from extreme temperatures in a 3000bhp Vauxhall VX4/90 FD that achieves 220mph in quarter mile. The Red Victor 1 Racing Team, which recently achieved a blistering 6.59 quarter mile, is using a broad range of Zircotec products including ThermoHold® ceramic coatings and ZircoFlex® heat shield materials as durable and effective heat management solutions for its very harsh application. Fully road legal right down to the tyres, wipers, horn and lights, Red Victor 3 is the latest drag racing creation from Andy Frost’s official VXR team. This incarnation of a 1972 Vauxhall VX4/90 FD uses an 8.8 litre Chevrolet engine, boosted by turbos – meaning exhaust temperatures can reach 787°C. This heat, trapped in an enclosed engine bay can cause reliability issues or inflict damage to surrounding parts and paint. Zircotec’s solution was to coat a range of engine components including the turbocharger, exhaust and carbon composite air duct as well as protecting body panels and paint with its ZircoFlex heatshield material. With, a 64 percent surface temperature reduction being achieved by using a single layer of ZircoFlex and a triple layer raising the protection to 84 percent, the benefits of the firm’s flexible heatshield were clear to the team; "I would not run a turbocharged car without using the benefits of ZircoFlex's heat reduction properties," says Andy Frost, engineer and driver of the car. "The product is better than anything else I've ever used for heat management on body panels, ducts and bulkheads." ZircoFlex heatshield material, available in a range of sizes, can be cut and folded to shape fit in the most awkward location and solve heat problems once and for all. "The paint is still on the car in the places I've applied it," adds Frost. "That includes under the bonnet, on the bulkhead and floor areas. My feet don't get hot and the carpet isn't melted!" "Though Frost’s car is an extreme example, many classic and performance car owners suffer the effects of heat both underbonnet and in the cockpit that could be eradicated through the use of heat management products such as ZircoFlex," adds Peter Whyman, sales director for Zircotec. In addition to the reliability gains, Frost has benefitted from the performance benefits achieved through the use of thermal barriers. "By retaining heat in the exhaust, the gases pulse faster through the system offering a small but worthwhile gain," claims Whyman. "This is more relevant with turbo engines, where the faster moving gases help the turbo to spool up quicker and reduce lag." For Frost, the plan is to continue to lower the time: "Now that we have attained the world record, we plan on lowering it bit by bit," concludes Frost. "This will happen alongside our championship efforts in the 2012 MSA Pro Modified championship, where we hope to get ourselves familiar with racing again. By the end of the year we expect that the car is at a level to compete properly for next year’s MSA Pro Modified championship." Good luck chaps!

VIDEO: Ferociously Fast Fiat For Friday!

Revving to over 10,000rpm, weighing in under 600Kg and knocking out over 300bhp, this Fiat X1-9 is one hell of a cool hill climber, eh? Check it out. You can buy the DVD from this epic hill climb at: http://www.dorvyd.it/Homepage.html. Ace! 

VIDEO: Ten Of The Best 2012: The UK's Best Tuned Car Event

Check out and share this slick, freshly produced promo film for this year's incredible Ten Of The Best two-day event – http://www.totb.co.uk, July 28th and 29th 2012. Now in its 11th year, this annual, multi-discipline event – quarter mile, top speed and handling circuit – attracts some of the best tuned cars, tuning companies and drivers in the UK, competing individually in 4WD, RWD and FWD classes, and in teams. It's Britain's leading tuned car event, attracting some 10,000 people and 100+ phenomenally fast cars, from well known companies and small home-brew tuners alike. The event is held at Elvington Airfield, near York in North Yorkshire and is run by expert timing gear and event crews, www.straightliners-events.co.uk. If you've never been before, GO! It's epic. And if you think you've got a quick car and can beat the best, ENTER! It's such a great event, full of amazing cars and people. Alternatively, maybe your company would like to reach a massive audience of c10,000 petrol heads? Well, you can sponsor the two-day event, have a stand in the massive retail village, banner-up the drag lanes or handling circuits... the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship packages are amazing, affordable and perfectly targeted to the huge TOTB audience. Our PR pals, www.roylemedia.co.uk are helping with this, so mail them for more details or call Phil on +44(0)7946-610193. Be the best... be part of Ten Of The Best...

VIDEO: Ten Of The Best 2012: The UK's Best Tuned Car Event

Check out and share this slick, freshly produced promo film for this year's incredible Ten Of The Best two-day event – http://www.totb.co.uk, July 28th and 29th 2012. Now in its 11th year, this annual, multi-discipline event – quarter mile, top speed and handling circuit – attracts some of the best tuned cars, tuning companies and drivers in the UK, competing individually in 4WD, RWD and FWD classes, and in teams. It's Britain's leading tuned car event, attracting some 10,000 people and 100+ phenomenally fast cars, from well known companies and small home-brew tuners alike. The event is held at Elvington Airfield, near York in North Yorkshire and is run by expert timing gear and event crews, www.straightliners-events.co.uk. If you've never been before, GO! It's epic. And if you think you've got a quick car and can beat the best, ENTER! It's such a laugh. Alternatively, maybe your company would like to reach a massive audience of petrol heads? Well, you can sponsor the two-day event, have a stand in the massive retail village, banner-up the drag lanes or handling circuits... the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship packages are amazing, affordable and perfectly targeted to the huge TOTB audience. Or PR pals, www.roylemedia.co.uk are helping with this, so mail them for more details or call Phil on +44(0)7946-610193. Be the best... be part of Ten Of The Best...