AC Schnitzer Z4 Roadster

The BMW Z4 as standard is far from under-powered. But as is well known, enthusiastic drivers can never have enough power. Sufficient reason then for AC Schnitzer to upgrade the Z4 3.5i Turbo to 286 km/h. With a power of 360 HP and an unladen weight of 1485 kg, the open-top roadster from BMW accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Even the most demanding driver will be delighted with this performance.The driving experience is enhanced acoustically and visually by the stainless steel sports rear silencer and the chromed Racing tailpipe trims. Equally sporting is the AC Schnitzer suspension variant in the Z4. Thanks to a new spring kit, the transverse acceleration appears to bypass the conventional laws of ature.This impression is certainly partly supported by the aerodynamic components made of PU-Rim, a high quality flexible plastic. The aerodynamic pack for the new BMW Z4 consists of a chrome front grille and front spoiler, where both components combine to give a more muscular look to the long bonnet lines.New sports fenders, consisting of wheel arches with integral air outlets for improved cooling of the front brakes and chromed deflectors, optimise the side lines of the roadster. Finally, the two-piece rear spoiler gives the rear of the BMW Z4 by AC Schnitzer an impressive look; because of the performance of the car, this is probably the aspect which will be seen most by other drivers!In the inside, both driver and passenger enjoy an impressive interior. The aluminium cover for the i-Drive System Controller, the aluminium foot rests and pedal set, are just a few of the ergonomically perfect controls which give the vehicle elegance and enhance the sporting ambience.Standing on AC Schnitzer Type IV in 18” or Type VI wheels in 18, 19 or 20 inch, the BMW Z4 takes to the stage for its world premiere. A striking entrance from the Aachen specialist, which will certainly not be forgotten in a hurry

Noble M15

The M12 is a great car, but it’s very focused and I wanted to produce a supercar people could use every day,” said founder Lee Noble. “It was time for Noble to take a big step up in terms of refinement, practicality and style.With a 455bhp version of the tried and trusted three-litre twin turbo engine Noble has come to rely on, this is also the quickest car ever to emerge from Barwell, Leicestershire. With the complementary figure of 455lb/ft of torque, all in a car that weighs slightly more than 1200kg, the M15 is devastatingly fast.The M15 accelerates from 0-60mph in less than 3.3 seconds and 10 100mph in less than 8s. It keeps going all the way to 185mph, too, and has been tuned for rapid acceleration throughout the range rather than an easily achievable 200mph top end speed.Supreme cornering skills and a confidence-inspiring chassis are part the DNA and, in this respect, the M15 promises to be the best yet. The spaceframe chassis with integral rollcage is 57 per cent stiffer than the M12 that has won plaudits throughout the world and intensive development has ensured that the fabled Noble handling on the limit is even better than before.At £74,950 the M15 pitches straight into battle with the established supercar brands, but Noble is happy to meet them head on. “Hopefully people that test this car will see it as a real alternative to £130,000 exotica, as well as the immediate competition in the price range,” he said. “We know we’re taking on tough opposition, but I’m sure this car is going to take us forward in a big way.”

Honda Skydeck Concept

The 2009 Tokyo Motor Show will mark the debut of the Honda Skydeck Concept, an innovative 6-seater hybrid MPV. This is still a design study, but is a great example of how Honda's IMA technology can be placed in a range of different cars for different needs. To give the Honda Skydeck Concept the practicality of a conventional MPV, many of the hybrid system components - including the high power battery - are housed in the car's centre tunnel (rather than behind the rear seats or under the floor, as with previous production hybrids). This allows for greater cabin space, and the room for three rows of two seats. It also gives a lower centre of gravity.

Startech Jaguar XK

The engineers and designers from STARTECH have developed subtle sporty body modifications, custom-tailored 21-inch forged wheels with corresponding ride-height lowering and eye-catching interior options.Adding sporty emphasis to the elegant lines of the two-door with subtle components was a challenge the STARTECH styling team mastered with great success. The team developed spoiler flaps that attach to both sides of the production front apron. They upgrade the car’s appearance and reduce lift on the front axle. All STARTECH aerodynamic-enhancement components are made from carbon fiber. To make these components not only ultra-light but also extremely strong STARTECH uses the same ‘Prepreg’ production process in an autoclave used in motor racing and aerospace engineering.The face of the Jaguar is further upgraded with daytime running lights. Using precise-fit design elements these lights are beautifully integrated into the stylized air vents on both sides of the bumper. The STARTECH carbon-fiber rear molding serves as the perfect backdrop for the two tailpipes of the exhaust system and gives the rear of the Jaguar even more character.The exclusive STARTECH looks are further characterized by STARTECH forged wheels custom-tailored for the XK models. The three-piece Monostar J Diamond Edition wheels intersperse polished surfaces with brushed-look sections and are miles apart from the rest. The same is true for the wheel sizes, which were selected specifically for the sportiest Jaguar model. The front wheel houses are filled to the max by size 9Jx21 wheels with tires in size 255/30 ZR 21. In the rear tires in size 295/25 ZR 21 mounted on size 10.5Jx21 wheels strive to provide maximum traction.STARTECH sport springs are specially calibrated to these tire/wheel combinations. They lower the ride height of both body styles by some 40 millimeters (1.6 inches). Exclusive interiors are a particular STARTECH specialty. The interior designers transformed trends from exclusive high-end living into the XK without overpowering the sports car’s British character.The company upholstery shop has created a fully leather interior made from the finest, especially soft brandy-colored leather. A new combination of contrasting cords and double seams using an especially thick thread creates an entirely new and yet very English ambiance in the cockpit. The STARTECH interior program also offers countless other color combinations in leather and Alcantara. More than 100 different colors are always in stock, special requests such a leather color that matches a favorite lipstick or other item can also be fulfilled.New bamboo wood trim elements replace the precious-wood and aluminum trim available from the factory. The wood color is specially matched to the brandy-colored leather. A special bleaching and staining process makes it possible to match the leather color exactly. This STARTECH innovation also gives customers a choice of open-pore, matte or high-gloss surface finishes. Genuine carbon-fiber trim sets with different structures and colors are yet another option for customizing the interior.Further exclusive ideas for the interior are scuff plates with illuminated STARTECH logo and high-quality floor mats bordered with color-coordinated leather.

Kleemann CLK 63 AMG Black Series

How do we optimize this car? This question has only one correct answer: With sophistication! The already fabulous CLK 63 AMG Black Series doesn’t leave much room for improvements, but the Kleemann engineers didn’t hesitate for a second, when they received this challenge. Somehow, AMG had just done a lot of the work that had previously been performed by Kleemann on the “normal” CLK’s, so the task wasn’t really that difficult.The first thing you notice on a CLK Black is the racy styling – particularly the wide fenders, which house the 19″ AMG wheels. Now the car rolls on 20″ 3 piece Kleemann TS-6 wheels, 10″ wide with 255/30 tires on the front axle and 11″ wide with 305/25 tires on the rear axle. These wheels visually complete the exterior of the car and work in perfect harmony with the race inspired Black Series chassis for a much improved driving experience.The next step of the Kleemann optimisation was a power increase for the 507 HP 6.2 litre AMG engine. This car is the first model fitted with the new Kleemann 63-K2 kit, consisting of a set of high flow exhaust manifolds with matching downpipes and 200-cell steel sport catalysts and a remapped engine ECU. This kit increases peak power to 545 HP and 675 Nm of torque and power is raised throughout the rev scale, retaining the everyday driveability of the stock engine and eliminating the need to modify the gearbox (The Kleemann 63-K2 kit can be fitted to all AMG 63 cars).As the final touch to the magnificent car, the brand new Kleemann logo kit has replaced the MB letters on the boot lid. The elegant and minimalistic letters add a touch of exclusivity and mystique to the car, and set it apart from other “standard” Black Series cars (The new logo kit is available from January 2009).The Kleemann philosophy Comfort Power represents the point that tuning isn’t just about raw power and radical styling. The main goal must always be power and driveability in perfect harmony and the Kleemann CLK 63K AMG Black Series is a perfect example of just that.