While Porsche reportedly mulls the idea of a four-cylinder Boxster and Audi offers a TDI version of its iconic TT, Mercedes-Benz is now reportedly preparing to offer a diesel engine in its next-generation SLK.

The unit in question will be the same 2.2-liter “BlueEfficiency” 4-cylinder twin-turbo diesel currently offered in the C250 sedan, where it returns a claimed 54.3 mpg while spewing out just 138g/km of carbon dioxide. Although to previous generations the idea of a diesel convertible remains an anathema, the advance of particulate filter and common rail injnection technologies now common among the most advanced diesel engines make them a viable, earth-friendly option for open-air motoring. Unfortunately, no mention was made whether or not the diesel SLK will be offered in the U.S., which is a tough question for all automakers to answer when it comes to diesels thanks to stricter diesel emissions standards in California and other states compared to the rest of the country.

[Source:Autoblog]

The 996 Porsche Turbo is old news, but that didn’t stop Theory Communication and Design and iForged Wheels from whipping up a version that makes us quiver slightly, even though it’s green. Artisan stuffed 650 horses under that rear wing with its turbo upgrade package, and the TechArt GT Street wide body rear kit has a beautiful carbon diffuser and ample ports for viewing the intercoolers. The car’s speed is held in check by yellow Brembo calipers restrained behind iForged wheels, and your own speed will be held in check by the 5-point harness on the Porsche-logoed Sparco seats. Check out the press release after the jump, and the gallery of high-res photos of the build and show car below.

PRESS RELEASE

Mobil 1 SEMA Porsche 996 Turbo

Theory Communication and Design (www.theoryconcept.com) has teamed up with one of the top industry icons, to build a one of a kind Porsche 996 Turbo on behalf of Mobil 1. Vincent Wong, from iForged wheels, is no stranger to building high profile SEMA cars and this year he has taken things to a whole new level. Wong has worked closely with Theory over the past several months to build the perfect vehicle for the Mobil 1 SEMA booth.

Wong, the owner of iForged Wheels, shared with us the reasoning on why he built this Porsche the way he did. “I have strived to take one of the best engineered cars from Porsche and add my personal touch to it. I have always believed in building a car following the “show and go” concept. Even though a car looks beautiful, it should also be able to back up its good looks. Every modification performed on the car has a purpose and at the end of the day I hope people will be able to appreciate the hard work and long hours that have gone into building our one of a kind creation.”

Some of the highlights that will really make Wong’s Porsche stand out in the Mobil 1 booth, at the SEMA show, included the complete Porsche 997 TechArt GT Street wide body conversion, BASF Glasurit Porsche 997 GT3 RS Green paint job, Artisan 650HP Turbo upgrade package with Softronic ECU programming, Evolution Motorsports EVOMS intake system, Spec Clutch lightweight flywheel and Stage 3+ clutch, Custom Creative Car Audio and Motorsports custom stereo install featuring Rockford Stereo components, MA carbon fiber interior kit, GMG color matched 6 PT. roll cage, 15″ front and rear Brembo brake upgrade and of course a custom set of iForged 20×8.5 and 20×12.5 Neo wheels which are matched to Toyo Proxes T1-R 245/30/20 and 345/25/20 tires.

With less then one week to the SEMA show in Las Vegas, the buzz about the Mobil 1 Porsche 996 has been building as this amazing piece of machinery will be unveiled and showcased in the Mobil 1 booth (#25173) next week. For more information, please visit www.Mobil1.com.

[Source:Autoblog]

The redesigned Mazda6 is hitting dealers as we speak, and the Japanese automaker turned to the famous vanguards of style at Troy Lee Designs to tweak one for the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this year. TLD laid down the custom green paint job with help from L&G Enterprises and PPG for the paint itself, while Funktion USA added body mods like the carbon fiber splitter up front and rear wing. Lest you think this tuned Mazda6 is just a show stand prop, it’s also been fitted with 18-inch black Momo Strike wheels, Hoosier tires (nice touch), a custom suspension by Eibach Springs and big brake kit by Wilwood with 6-piston clampers and cross-drilled rotors. There’s no word on whether or not the TLD Mazda6 has any engine upgrades, but it’s not like the stock 3.7L V6 is lacking Zoom-Zoom with its best-in-class 272 horsepower. Check out the official word from Mazda after the jump and our gallery of live, high-res shots from the show floor below.

PRESS RELEASE

The Troy Lee MAZDA6 features custom paint by Troy Lee Designs, with paint prep and detailing by L&G Enterprises, paint material by PPG and body modifications by Funktion USA, to create an exterior design that is truly distinctive. To give the MAZDA6 a high-performance look and feel, 18″ Momo Strike wheels, Hoosier tires and window tinting by A-1 Tinting are added. Suspension modification by Eibach Springs, cross-drilled, 6-piston big brake kit by Wilwood Engineering and custom brake fabrication by JD Performance builds upon MAZDA6’s already superior handling performance.

[Source:Autoblog]

The Volkswagen Tiguan, already a hot little CUV, added some bodywork and an APR turbo to go with its Super CC and Jetta TDI Cup Edition Street Concept show car siblings, and then threw in a Rockford Fosgate system to raise the bar further. The little big guy wears fender flares connected by side steps and contrasting rocker panels. Inside is a two-tone leather job with some very attractive speaker enclosures in the doors. Under the hood goes APR’s 3-stage turbo to boost output to 295 hp and 300 lb-ft. And out back: a 1,400-watt Rockford Fosgate system with dual 10-inchers taking up the rear floor. And as we learned at the press conference, you can play a guitar through the amp. Of course, you can’t store anything back there, but this is SEMA, not a PTA meeting. Read all about it in the press release after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

PRESS RELEASE

2008 SEMA: VOLKSWAGEN PERFORMANCE TIGUAN
Compact Sport-Ute brings in the noise and the funk

LAS VEGAS – For the 2008 SEMA Show, Volkswagen has brought performance, styling and audio upgrades to their popular new Tiguan, the GTI of compact SUV’s.

The upgrades start on the outside of the Tiguan Performance with a complete body styling and fender flare kit, spoiler, side steps and a custom two-tone paint job. Not to be shown up by the new interior the performance level has been raised in this already hot compact SUV. The 2.0L TSI four-cylinder engine is now breathing through an APR Stage 3 Turbo Kit, and is rated at scorching 295 hp and 300 lbs. ft. of torque, coupled with the 6-speed Tiptronic® automatic. Also included is the new APR sport rear muffler and carbon-fiber cold air intake.

Holding the Tiguan Performance to the street are Yokohama 225/40 R19 tires and Volkswagen’s 19-inch Omanyt alloy wheels and the 4Motion all wheel drive system. For added stopping power, the Tiguan Performance was upgraded with an APR/Brembo GT Performance Braking System featuring 328×28mm drilled rotors and Brembo high performance brake pads. H&R performance springs and sway bars provide an extra measure of control for the Tiguan Performance.

To ensure interior performance was not neglected, Volkswagen worked with Rockford Fosgate to bring in a custom-built audio system. The system features 1400 watts of legendary MOSFET power. Rockford’s, brand new for 2009, POWER T1000-1bd 1000 watt mono amplifier powers two P3D410 dual voice coil 500 watt PUNCH subwoofers.

A Power T400-4 amplifier delivers 400 watts of clean power to each of the door component speakers featuring 6.5″ mid-bass in the front doors & 5.25″ mid-bass in the rear doors, with matched inverted hard dome tweeters. The newly amplified system was seamlessly integrated to the Volkswagen Multi-media player and DVD-navigation system.

[Source:Autoblog]