Though the Ford Transit Connect may be a niche player in the North American market, the small van market is big business in Europe. According to Mercedes-Benz, it accounts for some 700,000 units annually, and that’s a pie of which Daimler wouldn’t mind getting a bigger slice. And so it has announced its new Citan.

Taking its name from a combination of City and Titan, the Citan will slot in below the Vario, Sprinter and Vito in order to meet the needs of workers who need to get around crowded city streets and take their gear with them. Mercedes plans to offer it in a broad range of configurations, lengths and engine options once it hits the market in the fall.
The concept was unveiled at a logistics symposium held at the Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Sindelfingen, and will be presented for the first time in public next September at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show. In the meantime, you can check out the details in the press release after the jump and the renderings in our high-res image gallery below.

The Mercedes-Benz Citan – the new urban delivery van from the star brand
Stuttgart/Sindelfingen

- New van series to boost sales
- Citan – a new name that combines the words “city” and “titan”
- Vehicle developed strictly in line with customer requirements
- Mercedes-Benz quality standards were fulfilled in all areas
- Public debut planned for the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show next September

Stuttgart/Sindelfingen – Mercedes-Benz’ new urban delivery van is called Citan. The name was revealed today during a symposium on brand competence and city logistics, which was held at the Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Sindelfingen. The name Citan combines the words “city” and “titan,” thus making it clear that the vehicle is a first-rate specialist for city logistics – one that was specifically developed to meet the tough challenges faced in day-to-day operations.

New van series to boost sales
With the introduction of the new urban delivery vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is adding another production series to its family of vans. The Citan is supplementing the Vario (6.0 to 8.2 tons), Sprinter (3.0 to 5.0 tons), and Vito (2.77 to 3.2 tons) to broaden the range of products in the lower weight classes of the van market, where it will significantly boost sales.

Whereas the small vans segment was still a niche market in the mid-1990s, it has now grown to around 700,000 units in Europe. Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to gain a market share of four to five percent in this segment. Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, is convinced that the Citan will be a big success. “We will take advantage of the trend toward city vans, which our brand will be able to exploit thanks to its attractively priced vehicles and the high quality of our products and services,” says Mornhinweg. “Our typical Mercedes-Benz reliability, 24/7 service, and, last but not least, our great brand image are key selling points as far as our commercial customers are concerned.”

Due to its large number of variants, the new urban delivery van with the star is suited for a broad range of commercial applications. Not only will the Citan be offered as a panel van, a crewbus, and a mixed-use vehicle; it will also be available in a variety of lengths and weights.
The Citan will be launched on the market in fall 2012. The vehicle will be unveiled to the general public for the first time at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover in September.

The Citan – the ideal partner in city traffic
The Citan was developed and tested in line with Mercedes-Benz’ demanding quality standards. The vehicle is correspondingly durable and robust. At the same time, it meets the requirements of customers from the service, sales, and trade sectors, offering them a large cargo space despite the vehicle’s compact dimensions. In addition, the van boasts attributes typical of the brand, such as great quality, economy, safety, excellent handling, as well as high fuel efficiency and correspondingly low CO2 emissions. The drive concept encompasses a broad range of low-emission, fuel-efficient diesel and gasoline engines and includes a BlueEFFICIENCY package. An electric drive version is also being planned.

The Citan’s operation, interior, materials, and workmanship are of the same high quality as in other Mercedes-Benz vans. The new urban delivery van can therefore be justly called the “little brother” of the Sprinter and Vito, to which it is in no way inferior. As is the case with every Mercedes-Benz vehicle, safety plays a big role in the new van, all variants of which come with ESP as standard.

New markets for Mercedes-Benz vans
Mercedes-Benz has greatly expanded its vans business in recent years. In line with the slogan of “Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global,” the brand is not only manufacturing vans in Düsseldorf (Sprinters), Ludwigsfelde (Sprinters and Varios), and Vitoria, Spain (Vitos), but also in the U.S., Argentina, and China.

It is also planning to strengthen its presence in the Russian market through a partnership with GAZ, the leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Russia. Over the medium-term, the GAZ factory near Nizhny Novgorod will produce 25,000 Sprinters each year, and do so strictly according to Mercedes-Benz’ quality standards.
Mercedes-Benz already is the undisputed market leader for mid-size and large vans in Western Europe.

[Source:Autoblog]

Honda has announced plans to enter the FIA World Touring Car Championship with this, a hot new racer based on the newly redesigned 2012 Civic (well, the European five-door, anyway). Details are slim about the new touring car racer, but the automaker has released a statement confirming that the Civic will be powered by a bespoke 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four, developed by Honda R&D in accordance with FIA’s Super 2000 regulations. Honda has also formed a joint partnership with Mugen and J.A.S. Motorsport to develop the new Civic.

So, how soon will we get to watch the new hatchback swap paint with other WTCC racers? Honda hopes to officially join WTCC this season, with some inaugural rounds possibly held in Japan, China and Macau. Following that, a two-car team will be entered into every race in the 2013 championship. Hit the jump for the full details.

Honda today announced that the Honda Civic will race in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

“We have made a decision” said Honda CEO, Takanobu Ito “to enter into the WTCC with the European Civic. We will develop a totally new engine for this project and we are all excited about starting this new challenge.”

For this project, Honda has formed a joint partnership with Mugen and J.A.S. Motorsport. Honda R&D is developing a bespoke racing engine, while Mugen will manufacture and maintain it. J.A.S. Motorsport will develop the race car, using the new Honda Civic 5 door produced in Honda’s manufacturing plant located in Swindon (UK).

The racing engine is a 1.6 litre 4 cylinder direct injection turbo-charged petrol engine, developed in accordance with FIA’s Super 2000 regulations.

Honda’s ambition is to join the WTCC as early as this season, with a string of “inaugural rounds”. Discussions are currently being held with the FIA, but these rounds would include Japan (held on 21 October 2012 at Honda’s Suzuka circuit), followed by China and Macau. Honda will then enter a two car team, managed by J.A.S. Motorsport, into every race in the 2013 championship season.

This activity is being run independently to the Honda Racing British Touring Car Championship winning team. Three-times BTCC Champion, Matt Neal and Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden will be behind the wheel of the race-prepared Team Dynamics version of the new Civic and lining up on the grid at Brands Hatch on 1 April for the first race of the 2012 season.

Racing has always been a fundamental element of Honda’s DNA. In the late 1950s Honda first entered the Isle of man T.T and then Formula 1 in the 1960s. The FIA WTCC is the next chapter in Honda’s on-going commitment to world motor sport and provides a perfect platform to demonstrate its racing spirit to Honda’s numerous fans around the world.

[Source:Autoblog]

Of all the car shows around the calendar year, the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance doesn’t typically fall on our radar screen. But maybe it should, because the annual event in Florida – young as it is – has a history of offering firsts. Maybe not the first time a vehicle is seen in North America, mind you, but a first just the same.

Last year the event included the sale of the first examples of the Ferrari FF, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster and Audi R8 GT to be delivered in America. The year before that, it was the Audi R8 5.2 FSI (yeah, that’s the one with the V10) and Ferrari California. And before that, the event’s auctioneers sold off the first Audi R8 Spyder, Ferrari 458 Italia and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

Noticing a pattern here? Organizers have no intention of dropping the ball this year, when they’ll be auctioning off the first U.S. deliveries of the new Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG. Now if you’re thinking that we haven’t even seen the new SL63 AMG yet, you’re absolutely right. The new SL itself has been shown, but not the AMG version, which is expected to pack Affalterbach’s 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 with 571 horsepower on tap. Once the car has been unveiled and deliveries commence, the winner of the auction is guaranteed to be the first to get one in the United States.

As if that’s not enough, there will also be an Audi R8 GT Spyder – one of only 50 slated for production and the only one in red to be made available in the U.S. – as well as a Lamborghini Aventador and a whole mess of special-edition Shelby muscle cars, with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Follow the link for more info, or head down on February 25th to see the bidding frenzy at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.

[Source:Autoblog]

We know what you’re thinking: Another day, another BMW bodystyle. Except this one’s different.

The Bavarian automaker, much like its fellow German marques Audi and Mercedes-Benz, has exploded its product offerings with spinoffs of its established models. So the two-door 6 Series has bred a four-door GranCoupe version. The 5 Series, in addition to the sedan and wagon, has given us the oddly proportioned 5 Series Gran Turismo. But the upcoming 1 Series Gran Turismo is another kettle of fish in that it is not expected to share the small rear-drive platform with its recently revised namesake, but rather pack a new front-drive platform.

According to BMW Blog, the long-rumored 1 Series GT will finally make its debut next fall at the Paris Motor Show. When it does, the tall hatchback will be targeted directly at the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, slotting (in form at least) in between the existing 1 Series hatchback (pictured above) and X1 crossover. But if front-wheel drive isn’t how you picture your BMW channeling its power, an all-wheel xDrive version is also tipped to be in the cards, as well as a hybrid model.

[Source:Autoblog]

With six cars joining the grid this year in the DTM series, BMW is sure to present wildly different liveries – largely determined by the sponsors brought on board – for each one. And this is the first.

Based on a sponsorship deal with BP, this particular M3 DTM is decked out in the bright green color of Castrol Edge motor oil and the light blue of German gas station network Aral. This car’s unveiling is the first time we’re seeing the new touring car in anything but flat black or BMW’s trademark striped white color scheme.

To pull of its entry into the competitive German racing series and take on its rivals at Mercedes-Benz and Audi, BMW is bringing in four of its proven factory drivers (including three-time World Touring Car Championship winner Andy Priaulx) and has poached longtime Mercedes AMG driver Bruno Spengler and Audi’s reigning DTM champ Martin Tomczyk.

All eyes will be focused on Hockenheim where the season kicks off in late April.

Exclusive partnership: BMW M3 DTM to race with Castrol EDGE and Aral livery.

Munich, 30th January 2012. BMW Motorsport returns with six BMW M3 DTM cars in 2012 as it makes its comeback in the DTM. One of the cars, the Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM, will bear the design of Castrol EDGE and Aral Ultimate. This marks an extension of the existing, long-term partnership between Castrol and BMW Motorsport, and sees Aral Ultimate presented as partner of BMW Motorsport in the DTM.

“For many years we have put our faith in high-performance Castrol lubricants, and have celebrated countless successes together on the racetrack,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “For that reason, everyone here at BMW Motorsport is delighted that we are able to build on this established partnership in the DTM. Castrol EDGE and Aral Ultimate are high-performance brands, which suit our DTM project perfectly.”

Michael Hansen, CEO Deutsche Castrol Vertriebsgesellschaft, said: “The DTM is one of the most spectacular racing series worldwide and pushes the drivers, teams and cars to the very limit. It is because of these high-performance demands that we research and develop our products through the extremes of motorsport. Together with our long-term partner BMW Motorsport, we are looking forward to the challenges ahead and will do everything in our power to ensure that BMW is able to triumph in the DTM as they did in the past.”

“The DTM cars have been using our Aral Ultimate high-performance fuel since 2005,” added Jürgen Blömers, Marketing Director Rhine at Aral. “It will obviously be very exciting to see how the BMW M3 DTM performs in its first season. Whatever happens we are convinced that the return of BMW to the DTM will make the series even more exciting and attractive for the fans. It is a logical step for Aral to be involved as a partner of BMW Motorsport.”

About Castrol EDGE:
Castrol EDGE is Castrol’s strongest and most advanced range of engine oils yet, with a strength to perform no matter how, when or where the car is driven. In its work with leading motorsport manufacturer BMW, Castrol EDGE provides leading technological insight and innovation to improve on track performances. The reliability and prime quality of Castrol EDGE is not only tested and proved in the lab, but also in practice with BMW on the most extreme racetracks in the world.

About Aral:
With 2,400 stations, Aral is Germany’s largest network of filling stations. The logo – the characteristic blue Aral “diamond” – has had such a permanent place in Germany’s brand environment that 90 per cent of all citizens recognise it at first sight. Aral has belonged to the international BP Group since 2002. As such, the company benefits from an international presence and guaranteed supply, as well as the know-how of the world’s second largest oil company, which employs about 96,000 employees in over 100 countries.

Aral will continue to improve tried-and-tested fuels and to consistently expand its research into premium fuel generations, such as Aral Ultimate. Only this way is it possible to continuously achieve greater performance while at the same time improving environmental friendliness, and therefore to continue working on the practical implementation of sustainability concepts.

[Source:Autoblog]

Good news has been in abundant supply for the domestic automakers the last twelve months, and nowhere is that more evident than in the headline to this press release: “Chrysler Group Reports Full Year 2011 Net Income of $183 Million.” Now, $183 million isn’t exactly a king’s ransom in the auto industry (or elsewhere – Apple made $25.92 billion last year). But if Chrysler is making money again for the first time since emerging from bankruptcy, well, perhaps the U.S. auto industry has finally recovered from 2009.

The smallest of the Big Three automakers reported sales of 1,369,114 vehicles in 2011, up 26 percent from 2010. Chrysler led all automakers in percentage sales gains last year, and finished fourth in U.S. sales, behind General Motors, Ford and Toyota. To read the full press release, click past the jump.

Chrysler Group Reports Full Year 2011 Net Income of $183 Million

Chrysler Group’s Full Year 2011 Modified Operating Profit More Than Doubled to $2 Billion With Free Cash Flow of $1.9 Billion

• Chrysler Group full year 2011 net income improved to $183 million from a net loss of $652 million in 2010 and despite a $551 million loss on extinguishment of debt in Q2 2011; fourth quarter net income was $225 million, the highest quarterly net income since the Company began operations in 2009

• Net revenue for the year was $55.0 billion, up 31 percent from a year ago; fourth quarter net revenue increased 41 percent to $15.1 billion

• Modified Operating Profit(b) grew to $2.0 billion for the year, 2.5 times higher than 2010, and $508 million in the fourth quarter

• Free Cash Flow(e) for full year 2011 totaled $1.9 billion driving Cash(d) at year end 2011 to $9.6 billion compared with $7.3 billion a year ago

• Worldwide vehicle shipments were 2.0 million for full year 2011, up from 1.6 million a year ago

• Chrysler Group achieved its third and final performance event in January 2012 by committing to produce its new fuel-efficient vehicle, increasing Fiat S.p.A.’s ownership interest to 58.5 percent

February 1, 2012 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Chrysler Group LLC today reported preliminary net income of $183 million for the full year 2011, up from a net loss of $652 million a year ago, exceeding the objective set in November 2009.

The Company’s full year net income included a $551 million loss on extinguishment of debt recognized in the second quarter of 2011, when the Company repaid its outstanding obligations to the U.S. Treasury and Canadian governments in full, with interest, six years early. Excluding the charge, Adjusted Net Income(a) for the full year 2011 was $734 million, exceeding the Company’s 2011 guidance and further delivering on the goals established two years ago.

For the fourth quarter, net income was $225 million, up from a loss of $199 million a year earlier, as the Company continues to increase sales of its successful new and significantly refreshed vehicles.

As of January 2012, Chrysler Group has achieved all three performance events set forth in its Amended and Restated LLC Operating Agreement. As a result of achieving these events, and in combination with other transactions, Fiat S.p.A. now owns 58.5 percent of the membership interests in Chrysler Group.

“The house is in good order. We are proud of the work we’ve done,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Group LLC. “Now we greet a new year of high expectations with our heads down, forging ahead and focused on executing the goals we’ve set for ourselves as a company.”

[Source:Autoblog]

You’ve seen the S-Max. You’ve seen the C-Max. Now get ready for the B-Max.

The latest European-focused mini minivan from Ford was previewed in concept form at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, but has now been confirmed for production release at the 2012 edition of the same expo this March. Based on the Fiesta (the C-Max is based on the Focus), the new B-Max will arrive into a highly competitive segment overseas, so it will need to offer some alluring features to make its mark.

The edgy design should help, but the party piece for this diminutive people carrier is that it has no B-pillars. And we don’t mean that the windows have no frame: we mean the entire pillars are incorporated into the doors themselves, so that when you open the doors there’s no encumbrance to loading and unloading of passengers and cargo alike.

Motivation is provided by a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, with Duratorq diesels also on offer. After its unveiling in Geneva, the new B-Max will go on sale at dealers across Europe later this year. Follow the jump for the full press release and click the thumbnails below to view the pair of images released thus far in high resolution.

Ford’s All-New B-MAX to Showcase Unique Design and Unrivalled Technology at Geneva Motor Show

- Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally will debut production-ready version of all-new Ford B-MAX at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March
- B-MAX’s ingenious design and unrivalled technology sets new benchmark for smart, compact, city-friendly cars
- Highlights also include class-leading load-space, high-quality craftsmanship and materials, as well as advanced new engines

COLOGNE, Germany, Feb. 1, 2012 – Ford will throw open the doors to its all-new production-ready B-MAX compact multi-activity vehicle when it takes a starring role at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally will be in Geneva to unveil the new B-MAX, which promises to set new standards with its unique design and best-in-class technological features. Its return to Geneva, in full production form, comes just a year after the concept was unveiled at the Geneva show.

“The B-MAX combines an exciting, innovative design with features that only previously have been found in bigger cars,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “It’s a brand new car that responds to the needs of an increasing number of customers who want much more from their small cars.”

Bringing the B-MAX to production demanded a new approach to door construction, which has resulted in wide-open access for drivers, passengers and luggage; with the center pillars integrated into the doors themselves. The B-MAX also will deliver superior craftsmanship and high quality materials rarely found on an affordable compact car, together with flexible-seating and class-leading load-space.

Ford’s new 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, with its advanced combination of power and efficiency, will be available on the B-MAX, as will Duratorq TDCi diesels. The Ford B-MAX goes on sale in Europe later this year.

[Source:Autoblog]

Smart has put the ForTwo under the knife in an attempt to give the maligned A-segment vehicle a few more years of life. The ForTwo now wears a smarter-looking revised fascia with a bolder Smart emblem, more expansive grille and redesigned lower valance. The front clip is paired with more defined rockers and a similarly restyled rear valance. Throw in a few more wheel options and the package helps freshen the vehicle quite a bit. Unfortunately, engineers left the engine bay alone. That means buyers will still be met with the same abysmal engine lineup and automated manual transmission found in the current vehicle.

Smart plans to continue to offer five option packages, including Brabus and Brabus Xclusive. The refreshed ForTwo will land in dealers in the UK in April, with U.S. sales commencing shortly thereafter as a 2013 model.

Word has it the next-generation ForTwo won’t see the light of day for another two years at least. Will the 2013 nip/tuck draw enough buyers into show rooms to keep Smart afloat until then? We imagine it won’t hurt, but the company is facing increased competition from big players like Scion and Chevrolet, and its sales numbers are terrible to begin with. Vehicles like the the more efficient iQ and the Spark probably won’t help the ForTwo’s chances. Hit the jump for the full press release.

SMART FORTWO 2012: THE NEW LOOK

Facelift focusing on the exterior

Stuttgart. The spring of 2012 will see the smart fortwo making its mark in a striking new look, featuring an upgraded exterior and a fresh leather/fabric mix in the interior.

The substantially revamped smart fortwo sports a markedly more dynamic appearance, featuring a larger radiator grille with integrated logo, striking front aprons in a new design, horizontally arranged LED daytime driving lights, muscular side skirts and modified rear aprons. “The way in which the fortwo now displays the smart logo more prominently stands for the brand’s new self-confidence,” notes smart boss Dr Annette Winkler.” The smart fortwo has long become an icon that is a defining feature of urban traffic throughout the world.”

The chrome-coloured logo is now positioned directly in the black radiator grille. The air inlets under the number plate have been combined into a single unit, lending the smart fortwo a bolder appearance. The new, optionally available LED daytime driving lights are now arranged horizontally. There is also a choice of three new alloy wheels: the smart fortwo passion comes with a new 9-spoke alloy wheel; two additional alloy wheels fitted with wide tyres and featuring a 3-spoke and 3-twin-spoke design respectively round off the range. The choice of colours comprises seven options, including matt anthracite for the first time. The smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive is now also optionally available in white. In addition to the three soft top colours for the smart cabrio which were previously available from the smart programme (black, red, blue), the smart BRABUS tailor made programme offers six other soft top colours.

While the main focus of this facelift is on the exterior, there are changes inside the car, too. These include a new, high-quality interior package in crystal grey, comprising a fresh leather/fabric combination for the seats, an imitation leather/fabric mix for the door trims and black imitation leather for the instrument panel in combination with a grey knee pad.

The pulse and passion equipment lines are generally more colourful options than the basic pure model. pulse and passion highlight the frame of the front grille and the rear trim strip in silver, for example, while the front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron are painted in the car’s exterior colour. The door mirror caps are finished in the tridion colour. On the smart pure, these components are black.

The five lines – pure, pulse, passion, BRABUS and BRABUS Xclusive – are to be retained. Similarly, the smart fortwo will continue to be available as a coupé and cabrio version and with six engine and motor variants. The spectrum ranges from the particularly environment-friendly electric power train in the fortwo electric drive and the efficient micro hybrid petrol engine through the powerful turbo petrol engine to the fuel-efficient cdi turbodiesel. Prices begin at € 10,275 for the smart fortwo 45 kW mhd pure.

Here is an overview of the engine range:
Model type cc Output W/hp Maximum Torque l/10 km CO2 g/km 0-100 km/h (s) Top speed km/h
smart fortwo 40 kW cdi 799 40/54 130 Nm 3.3 (3.3) 86 (87) 16.8 135
smart fortwo 45 kW mhd* 999 45/61 89 Nm 4.2 (4.3) 97 (98) 16.8 145
smart fortwo 52 kW mhd 999 52/71 92 Nm 4.2 (4.3) 97 (98) 13.7 145
smart fortwo 62 kW 999 62/84 120 Nm 4.9 (4.9) 114 (115) 10.7 145
smart fortwo 75 kW
BRABUS 999 75/102 147 Nm 5.2 119 8.9 155
smart fortwo electric drive – 35 kW constant
55 kW peak 130 Nm – - < 13 > 120

Combined fuel consumption and CO2 values with softip gearshift, values for softouch shown in brackets, top speed electronically limited; * coupé, ** “sale&care” model plus a gross monthly leasing rate of under 70 euros for the battery

The new model generation for 2012 represents the continuation of a unique success story for smart: as a trendsetter the smart fortwo has been redefining individual urban mobility for more than ten years now. It combines responsibility to the environment and high ecological standards with joie de vivre and a high fun factor. With its compact dimensions the two-seater takes up less road and parking space than any other car around.

More than 1.3 million smart fortwos have been delivered to customers since the first model was launched in 1998. 101,996 smart fortwos were handed over to customers worldwide in 2011 – 4.6 percent more than in the previous year.

The car2go mobility service is also attracting growing numbers of fans. Over 2000 smart fortwos are currently in operation for 60,000 customers in seven cities around the globe. car2go is already successfully up and running in Ulm and Hamburg (Germany), Austin and San Diego (USA), Vancouver (Canada), Vienna (Austria) and Amsterdam (Netherlands). car2go will be launching in Lyon (France), Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Washington D.C. and other cities in 2012.

The facelifted smart fortwo will be available in the UK in April 2012

[Source:Autoblog]

When McLaren released the MP4-12C, there were some questions about the distinctiveness of its styling, but not about whether the engineers at Woking had extracted every bit of performance they could from its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. John Hennessey and company, however, think they can do better. That’s why Hennessey Performance Engineering has targeted the 12C for its latest tuning package.

Traditionally, Hennessey usually starts by bolting on a pair of turbos to whatever car it can get its hands on. But McLaren has already done that, so Hennessey has fitted new ones, and along with it, upgraded the intercooler, intake, exhaust, electronic control modules and transmission. It’s also fitted a CarbonAero body kit, new wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber and a redone interior swathed in carbon, leather and Alcantara.

The result is 800 horsepower, up from 592 stock. What Hennessey hasn’t touched, however, are the MP4-12C’s suspension and brakes, which the Texas-based tuner didn’t feel it could improve upon. Whether the rest is advisable is up for debate, but that’s never stopped the Texas tuner before, so check out the details in the press release after the jump and the renderings for a closer look at what to expect should any McLaren owners inexplicably feel their 12C is just too slow.

Hennessey Performance Transforms McLaren MP4-12 from Mild to Wild with HPE800 Twin Turbo
January 31, 2012

SEALY, TEXAS – Texas-based automotive tuning company, Hennessey Performance (HPE), has set their sights on taking the new McLaren MP4-12C to a higher level of performance. Today the company is introducing their HPE800 Twin Turbo concept for the 12C. The HPE800 Twin Turbo will include upgrades to the powertrain designed to reliably increase power to over 800 bhp. HPE will also add a more aggressive aero package to the vehicle in order to increase downforce. The Hennessey CarbonAero bodywork will incorporate a new, center-positioned frontal air inlet with hood extractor. This new design will allow room for larger heat exchangers for improved engine intercooling as well as transmission cooling.

“We’ve been taking fast cars and have been making them faster for over twenty years,” said company founder and president John Hennessey. “I spent a lot of time around the new 12C at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed and was very impressed. We’re excited to have the opportunity to take a great car and give it our own special performance touch while giving 12C owners a uniquely aggressive appearance”.

HPE800 Twin Turbo Upgrades Include:
- Upgraded intercooler system
- Upgraded air intake system
- Upgraded ball-bearing turbochargers
- Hennessey titanium exhaust system
- External wastegates
- External blow-off valves
- Upgraded fuel and engine management system
- Upgraded transmission cooler
- Upgraded transmission clutch system
- Custom dyno-tuned engine calibration
- Hennessey Warranty

Other Upgrades Include:
- Hennessey CarbonAero body upgrade
- Hennessey Monoblock wheels
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires
- Hennessey custom interior upgrades including carbon fiber, Alcantara and leathers

HPE does not plan to offer any kind of a suspension or brake system upgrade as the factory systems will be difficult to improve upon. The company plans to offer the upgrades listed above as an entire package as well as some individual parts. These items will be available directly from HPE facilities located in Texas and Southern California. Pricing has not yet been set.

About Hennessey Performance

Hennessey Performance was founded in 1991 as an extension of John Hennessey’s competitive spirit, engineering creativity, and burning desire to keep finding ways and events that allowed him to go faster.

In a whirlwind of speed related events over the span of that year, John Hennessey and his self-modified, daily driver Mitsubishi 3000 GT commuted to and participated in a diverse combination of speed events that included Nevada open road races, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and a record setting 173-mph run at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

John was obviously hooked on racing, but he realized that he wasn’t alone in his need for speed. Already a successful entrepreneur in the environmental services industry, and looking for ways to supplement his ravenous racing budget, John saw the potential for turning his automotive passion into his life’s work by taking the knowledge and development skills he had gained through racing and probing the performance potential of his car to others with similar cars and speed-focused ambitions.

The first few years saw John’s efforts concentrated on building and modifying turbocharged imports such as the Mitsubishi 3000 GT, Toyota Supra and Mazda RX7. But in March 1993, the future and successful growth of Hennessey Performance was set into motion when a customer, impressed by John’s winning drives in the Nevada open road challenge events, came to him with one of the first Vipers in the country seeking modifications that would make him competitive in similar events.

Those modifications and tuning resulted in an increase of about 100 more horsepower, prompting John to dub it the Hennessey Venom 500 Viper. The car’s subsequent 164-mph average run in the Silver State Challenge drew the attention of the automotive media as one of the first, if not the first, Viper to participate in any form of competition.

The next few years saw demand for Hennessey enhanced Vipers, including cars built for Jay Leno, Bob Lutz and other Chrysler executives, increase to the point that by 1996, Hennessey Performance was dealing exclusively in the V10 Chrysler super sports car. To meet this demand, the company had grown to over a dozen employees and was operating out of a 30,000 square-foot hangar at the Houston airport.

In 2005, once again a new customer provided the means for a major change in the growth and direction of Hennessey Performance. Don Goldman had taken early retirement from a successful career of acquiring, growing then selling businesses to concentrate on his passion of car collecting. His desire to build a Ford GT capable of doing well over 200 mph on a mile long course initiated a successful diversification for Hennessey Performance into building high performance Ford GTs.

Don Goldman was also instrumental in mentoring and partnering with John on the 2004 acquisition of the Lonestar Motorsports Park drag strip facility and subsequent acquisition, in early 2008, of the adjacent property that is now includes the headquarters of Hennessey Performance Engineering.

During this period, John was watching what another friend and customer Bob Lutz was planning in terms of performance cars in his new role at General Motors. When the Cadillac CTS V arrived in 2008, Hennessey Performance was ready with modifications that could put out 650 horsepower from its Corvette derived V8. That same year also saw the design and development of the Venom GT ultra exotic sports car in England.

Building on its success with the Cadillac CTS V, Hennessey Performance became one of the first aftermarket companies to offer high performance models of the Camaro when it arrived.

Don Goldman officially became a partner in Hennessey Performance in June 2009 to oversee the management and operations of the company allowing John to concentrate fully on his passion for product design and development. In contrast to John’s one man, apartment based startup operation in 1991, Hennessey Performance currently has 30 employees based in a 30,000-square foot facility off Interstate 10 about 45 minutes west of Houston.

In addition to administrative offices and a customer showroom, facilities include 20 service bays, 16 vehicle lifts, a welding and fabrication shop, Dynojet 248C chassis dynamometer rated to 1800 rear wheel horsepower, Dyno Dynamics all-wheel drive chassis dynamometer rated to 2000 horsepower, and a Hunter 4-wheel laser alignment rack built in-ground to handle lowered vehicles and race cars.

The surrounding acreage includes a ¼-mile drag strip and 1.4-mile road course to allow testing and development to be done on site.

Hennessey Performance also operates a state certified Tuner School on the premises offering hands-on instruction to students interested in pursuing a career in aftermarket performance tuning. The school has also provided Hennessey with some of its own in-house technicians.

Hennessey Performance continues to grow. A new 10,000-square foot production and service facility in Southern California opens in July 2011. The Lake Forest, CA location is midway between Los Angeles and San Diego and will serve customers west of the Rockies.

After two decades, while the size and scope of the operations, along with the vehicles and products, have diversified and expanded, the founding principle of Hennessey Performance has remained unchanged. The goal is to provide ultimate performance for customers, who like partners John Hennessey and Don Goldman, have a passion for speed and racing.

Hennessey History

1991
John Hennessey purchases new Mitsubishi 3000GT vr4 to pursue his dream of entering the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. After developing his own modifications to the exhaust and turbochargers for added power, he prepares for the July 4th hill climb by entering the Nevada Open Road Challenge in May. With no prior experience, he finishes fourth overall averaging 164 mph over the 90-mile course in a car he had driven to Ely, Nevada and back from Houston. He also drove his car, loaded with tools and spares, to Colorado and back in July when he successfully completed his run in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. In August, he again drove, not trailered, his car to the Bonneville Salt Flats where he set a class record of 177 mph. And, to finish up his whirlwind tour of high-speed endeavors, that November he returned to Nevada for the Silver State Challenge open road race where he was the overall winner with an average speed of 177 mph.

In between races, he also found time, on October 12, to marry his fiancé Hope. With her support, John gave up his successful environmental remediation business and aimed his entrepreneurial skills at turning his passion for high performance and racing into his life’s work by founding Hennessey Performance Engineering.

1992
Working out of a rented garage with a single technician, John specialized in offering modified turbochargers and intake/exhaust systems for the Mitsubishi 3000 GT and its Dodge Stealth sibling as well as other turbocharged imports such as the Toyota Supra and Mazda RX7.
Hennessey Performance gets its initial media exposure with an article in Car & Driver recounting his racing exploits and the modifications he made to his Mitsubishi 3000 GT, which he dubbed the vr200.

1993
The first Viper Venom 500 was built for a customer interested in competing in Nevada open road races. In May, the car won its class and finished fourth overall with an average of 164 mph at the Nevada Open Road Challenge. Being one of the first, if not the first, Viper entered in any competition, it was featured in Car & Driver, Motor Trend, Hot Rod and Car Craft.

1994
The Viper Venom 550 debuts with a 50 horsepower increase over the Venom 500 thanks to HPE’s design of the world’s first Viper 5-to-1 tubular headers and development of high performance valve train improvements in conjunction with Competition Cams. Motor Trend track tests a Venom 500 and Venom 550 with both cars entering the magazine’s rather exclusive for the time ’3-second club’ by posting 0 to 60 mph runs of 3.7 and 3.5 seconds respectively.
Hennessey Performance is involved in development and sales of the first hardtop
designed for the Viper.
A Belgian team enters two Vipers at the 24 Hours of Le Mans utilizing exhaust headers, valve train components and other racing parts from Hennessey Performance. One of the team’s Vipers finishes an incredible tenth overall. 1995 John Hennessey becomes one of the founding members of the Viper Club of America.
Venom 600, featuring a stroker kit with custom crank, debuts at Motor Trend shootout held at Firebird Raceway. It decisively beats the competition to earn ‘cover shot’ status.
An earlier experience at a Road & Track top speed event did not result in a victory but brought home the lesson of having world-class test equipment. HPE purchases one of the first Dyno Jet rolling chassis dynamometers.

1996
Viper GTS debuts and HPE improves stroker kit to produce 650 horsepower resulting in the 650r model.

1997
John Hennessey pilots a 650r around the tricky high-speed oval at the Honda proving grounds in Arizona to become the first Viper to hit 200 mph with a speed of 203 mph. Motor Trend features the record run with a cover story.

1998
John drives his personal Viper GTS to establish a new speed record for the Elko Twin 50 open road race with an average of 177 mph on the return run.
With the arrival of his and Hope’s fifth child, John Hennessey puts his family’s interest first by retiring from high speed racing events, limiting himself to drag strip and road course testing.

1999
Venom 800 debuts. It is the result of John Hennessey’s decision that the time is right to develop a twin turbo Viper V10. He sets a goal of 200 mph in the standing mile. With 700 horsepower to the rear wheels, the Venom 800 comes up slightly shy of the mark with a speed of 197 mph, but does become the first tuner car tested by Motor Trend to do 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds and the ¼-mile in 9.9 seconds.

2000 to 2003
Development continues on the Viper. The 1000 horsepower Venom 1000 debuts and a 650r does 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a 10.7 ¼-mile on street tires.
HPE grows from five employees in 1995 to a dozen.

2004
Acquisition of the Lonestar Motorsports complex including 1/8-mile drag strip.
Venom 800 Twin Turbo SRT-10 captures overall win over 16 tuner cars in Car & Driver Supercar Challenge. The two-day event includes one day of road testing by the editors followed by a day on the oval and infield road course of Michigan International Speedway testing braking, handling, and various levels of acceleration.

2005
In a Road & Track standing mile test on the runway at Lemoore Naval Air Station, the Hennessey Venom 1000 SRT-10 convertible posts the fastest top speed of 210.2 mph. The diverse field of 15 entrants includes a Saleen S7 and three racecars. The Venom 1000 is 7 mph faster than the Lola-Ford Cosworth Indy Car of Paul Gentilozzi. In a separate run over a longer distance to determine its maximum top speed, this Viper convertible hit 223 mph.
Don Goldman becomes associated with HPE, initially as a customer then a partner with John Hennessey in terms of developing the Lonestar Motorsports property. The drag strip is extended to a fully operational ¼-mile plus shutdown area and return road allowing it to be used for testing and development.

2007
In a Road & Track 0 to 200 mph shootout at Lemoore Naval Air Station between six of the world’s fastest super cars, the 1100-hp Venom 1000 coupe is the winner with a time of 20.3 seconds, nearly a full four seconds quicker than the runner up Bugatti Veyron 16.4.
John Hennessey shifts his thinking from increasing horsepower to reducing weight to achieve a comfortable, user-friendly 200 mph road car. He commissions a designer in the UK to create plans for a car based on a Lotus Elise with a Viper V10 amidships that is the precursor to the Venom GT.
In December, ground is broken for building the company’s new facilities adjacent to Lonestar Motorsports Park.

2008
HPE Ford GT 1000 Twin Turbo becomes the world’s fastest Ford GT at the time with a 234 mph run at Lemoore NAS.
HPE moves into its new home, a 30,000-square-foot building adjacent to Lonestar Motorsports Park, off Interstate 10, about 45 minutes west of Houston.
Tuner School, first school dedicated to teaching and training high performance vehicle tuners opens within the new facilities.
Hennessey establishes YouTube channel to post entertaining and informative videos of its vehicles in action.

2009
HPE expands into General Motors tuning with Cadillac CTS V and Corvette ZR1 leading the way.
HPE 700 LS9 Camaro debuts with 691-hp at the rear wheels. The car is an immediate hit establishing HPE among Chevrolet performance customers.
Venom GT development continues in the UK with Chevrolet LS9 V8 replacing the twin turbo Viper V10 of the original concept.
Don Goldman becomes a partner in HPE bringing in operational and systems skills that allow John Hennessey to refocus on product development and sales.

2010
SoCal shop opens in Lake Forest, CA
Venom GT prototype debuts and is followed later in the year by delivery of the first production version.
Top Gear devotes cover story to Venom GT.
HPE dealer network continues to expand for ordering cars through Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ford dealers across the country. New website is launched.

2011
Happy 20th anniversary to John and Hope Hennessey as well as HPE. Over the last two decades both the couple and the company have reason to celebrate as the couple has expanded to a family of five children while HPE business family has grown to 30 employees.
Venom GT appears on cover of Road & Track
HPE West Coast operations move into new 10,000-square foot production and service facility located in Lake Forest, CA in August to service customers west of the Rockies.

2012
HPE introduces new line of high-performance upgrades for the McLaren MP4-12C.

[Source:Autoblog]

The 2001-2003 Z8 is one of the more graceful designs to slip from the BMW design studios in recent memory. With the droptop’s classic roadster lines and plenty of performance on tap, the Z8 may not have sold like gangbusters when it was in production, but its slow-burn appeal has ensured that it has plenty of fans and impressive resale value. Despite a very limited production run of just 5,703 units, Senner Tuning has belatedly turned its attention toward modifying this convertible, which is quickly becoming a classic.

The company’s engineers got started with a new sports air filter and easy breathing exhaust, including low-restriction catalytic converters. Throw in a mild ECU reflash and the vehicle is good for 450 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. Senner Tuning says those figures should be good enough to get the Zed to around 186 mph.

Thankfully, the folks at Senner haven’t messed with the Z8′s aesthetics too much. A set of slick 19×9-inch Work Schwert SC1 wheels ride up front while 19×10-inch rollers out back take care of putting power to the pavement. Senner also spent some time with the vehicle’s suspension. A new coilover suspension with adjustable rebound, new strut bar and reinforced shock mount are all part of the package. If you like the sound of this recipe, Senner Tuning will rework your Z8 for the princely sum of just under $25,000 at currentconversion rates. Hit the jump for the full press release.

ONE OF THE 5,703 BMWs Z8 by Senner Tuning AG

The Z8 model manufactured by BMW between March 2000 and July 2003 is included in the number above. It also includes 555 Alpina version cars (450 of them were equipped with an automatic gearbox and were shipped to the USA). They feature a wider radiator grill and side air intakes which were created by Henrik Fisker – based on the 1955 BMW 507 – and have almost become a rarity, certainly better known to experts as the E52 internal type. Even the standard roadster featuring a 5.0 liter V8 engine from M5 (E39S) provides impressive 294 kW (= 400 hp) and max. torque of 500 Nm.

To overhaul this sports car (this time the car is available for order only in full optional) as delicately as possible and make its overall appearance elegantly understated, Benno Senner of SENNER Tuning AG, Ingelheim, with his crew implemented the best existing concepts. At the very start the engine was supplied with a sports air filter set. Then parameter adjustment followed, including the exhaust system balancing featuring a welded exhaust manifold with a stainless steel silencer and flame tubes designed with metal catalysts. This adds the total of 37 kW (50 hp) and 535 Nm torque. This dramatic increase enables to raise the maximal possible speed to over 300 km/h.

When picking the perfect wheel-tire combination, SENNER Tuning AG chose Work Schwert SC1 wheels in Diamond Black varnish with an anodized 9×19 and 10×19 inch chrome outer rims, and Continental Sport Contact 5P 255/40R19 and 285/35R19 tires. To compensate for the fact that RunFlat tires were mounted on non-emergency run-flat wheels, the tool kit was complemented with a tire-repair set and a compressor. A glance through the wheel provides a view of Racing Gold varnished brake calipers. And a few words on the chassis technology: In addition to the coilover suspension Variant 2 Inox-Line with an adjustable rebound, a strut bar was installed on the reinforced shock mount in the front in order to stabilize the front end.

This Ingelheim-performed conversion of the Z8 into an elegant black-colored piece of art costs € 18,900.00, but taking into account the total number of vehicles manufactured it should be seen rather as an additional increase in value.

[Source:Autoblog]