Engineering Tuning Kits for Audi S4 to the UK

APS, the UK importer of the Swiss tuning brand Sportec, has turned to North American-based VW specialist, STaSIS Engineering, for its newest project concerning the latest generation of the Audi S4. The STaSIS Signature S4 is available in two flavors, the Touring and the Challenge editions, with both featuring an engine kit that boosts the 3.0-liter supercharged V6's output from 333 bhp and 344 lb-ft of torque to a more dazzling 410 bhp and 370 lb-ft.

The base Touring Edition package also includes suspension, brake and exhaust system upgrades as well as 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels, while the Challenge Edition comes with more hardcore components such as larger brakes with 6-piston callipers and ultra-lightweight forged aluminum wheels.

The STaSIS Signature S4 packages are available now from APS of Brackley, with prices starting at £12,500 including VAT (20%) and installation.

STaSIS Signature S4 Components

Signature S4 Touring Edition

• Exhaust - Quad outlet with tunable low RPM resonators
• Engine - Engine Tuning Software – performance increases to 410 bhp / 370 lb.ft
• Suspension – 1 inch lower, Increased spring rate, anti-roll bar kit and matched bushings & bump stops
• Brakes - Optional high-performance street pads and braided stainless steel lines
• Wheels – 20 inch x 8.5 inch lightweight cast aluminum wheels, Optional 19 inch x 9 inch lightweight cast aluminum wheels
• Tyres – High performance

Signature S4 Challenge Edition

• Exhaust - Quad outlet with tunable high RPM resonators (recommended for manual transmission)
• Engine - Engine Tuning Software – performance increases to 410 bhp / 370 lb.ft
• Suspension - Ohlins SL dampers, increased spring rate and high performance anti-roll bar kit
• Brakes - 6-piston Alcon monobloc calipers, 370 mm 2-piece discs (390-mm optional), stainless steel brake lines & high-performance pads
• Differential - high-bias centre differential (manual transmission only)
• Wheels – 20 inch x 9.5 inch ultra-lightweight forged aluminum wheels
• Tyres – extreme performance

BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]

Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering.

BMW said the new exhaust system is crafted from an extremely heat-resistant and lightweight chrome-nickel alloy called Inconel, which allowed the firm's engineers to reduce the thickness of the tubing from 1.5mm to 0.8mm. This resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 40%, or about 20 pounds when compared to the M3's stock exhaust system. So basically, you're getting a much lighter exhaust system with a more powerful sound

The M Performance Exhaust also comes with perforated inner pipes and polished titanium tips, which are laser engraved with the M logo.

The company said the new exhaust may be installed at any Authorized BMW Center at a price of $4,374 plus installation.

SLP Performance Receives GM's "Blessings" for Tuned 2011 Camaro ZL1

With its 550HP 6.2-liter supercharged V8, the upcoming 2012 Camaro ZL1 is Chevrolet’s wildest pony car yet. However, it won't be available for sale for another year, and here's where SLP Performance steps in. The U.S.-based company is running a ZL1 tuning program for the current 2011 Camaro SS.In regards of the copyright issues for the Z1 nameplate, SLP has shared a press release from GM stating that the Detroit automaker has no objections with the use of the name until production of the tuning project runs out this year.

Here the statement from GM: "Chevrolet is aware that SLP, a past upfitter of Chevrolet's 4th generation (1996-2002) Camaro vehicle, has been marketing its own limited edition (69) ZL1 upfit package for the 2011 Camaro model year only. Chevrolet and SLP have discussed SLP's ZL1 upfit package, an offering honoring the heritage and legacy of Chevrolet's original 1969 Camaro ZL1. Chevrolet has no objection to SLP continuing its marketing and build-out efforts to complete the run of its 2011 ZL1 upfit package."

SLP Performance’s ZL1 take on the Camaro will be available in a limited run of 69 units for 2011.

Using a 2011 Camaro SS as a base, the tuning firm takes the factory recipe and simply throws it out the window, starting with the engine. The massive 7.0-liter V8 is a custom built unit, fitted among other things, with a high capacity radiator, SLP TVS 2300 Supercharger with 10 PSI boost, cold-air induction system and carbon fiber finish engine covers.

Thanks to these modifications, the poweplant churns out 750-horsepower and is capable to catapult the 2011 Camaro ZL1 to an electronically limited top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and, to better cope with the extra oomph, the tuned ZL1 also comes with an SLP adjustable coil-over suspension, complete with new sway bars, and larger Brembo GT brakes.

The exterior upgrades include a carbon fiber hood and trunk lid, new front fascia, grille and splitter, rear spoiler and diffuser with integrated polished aluminum exhaust tips. The car rides on 20-inch SLP alloys, shod in 255/40 front and 295/35 rear Michelin XL Sport PS2 tires.

Inside, a numbered dash plaque announces the limited status of the model, accompanied by carbon fiber finish trim pieces, ZL1 floor mats, Katzkin leather upholstery available in 7 colors, and a number of ZL1 and Chevrolet embroidered logos.

SLP Performance Camaro ZL1 [press release]

Includes:

*Redesigned SLP front fascia with heritage-style grille/bowtie emblem and carbon fiber-finish splitter
*ZL1® fender and rear decklid badges
*SLP forged light-weight wheels, Michelin Sport PS2 tires, and Brembo GT front and rear brakes
*Rear 1/4 panel gill insert graphics
*SLP TVS 2300 Supercharger in Red with 10 PSI boost
*SLP all carbon fiber hood with functional scoop
*Carbon fiber-finish dashboard trim, steering wheel trim, and center console accents
*Katzkin® leather interior trim package (w/cloth Hounds Tooth shown) and ZL1 embroidered headrests
*SLP short-throw shifter with leather-wrapped ZL® shift knob
*High-lip rear spoiler with carbon fiber-finish
*SLP carbon fiber-finish rear diffuser with integrated exhaust outlets and polished aluminum tips
2011 ZL1® CONTENT MSRP $80,000 plus cost of a new 1SS or 2SS with manual transmission
Performance Upgrades
ENGINE
* SLP custom built 427 CID engine w/aluminum block and heads, 10.3:1 Compression ratio
* SLP High Capacity Dual Core Aluminum Radiator
* SLP 1.85:1 high-ratio rocker arms
* SLP TVS 2300 Supercharger with 10 PSI boost (E.O.#D-488-15)
* SLP Blackwing® cold-air induction system
* SLP non-adjustable PCM custom tune w/speed limiter increased to 205+ MPH (est. top speed)
* SLP injection molded engine covers with Carbon Fiber finish, 750HP graphics
EXHAUST SYSTEM
* SLP PowerFlo® exhaust system
* SLP long-tube headers w/stock cats
TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH
* GM 6-speed manual
* SLP short throw shifter w/ZL shift knob
* ZR-1 clutch assembly w/SLP flywheel
DRIVELINE
* SLP heavy-duty half shafts
WHEELS
* SLP forged light-weight 9″x20″ front wheels 10.5″ x 20″ rear wheels w/ZL1® center caps.
TIRES
* Michelin 255/40ZR20 XL Sport PS2 front and 295/35ZR20 XL Sport PS2 rear tires
BRAKES
* Brembo GT front and GT rear brakes with 2 piece 16″ front rotors and 6 piston calipers and 15″ rear rotors and 4 piston calipers
SUSPENSION
* SLP adjustable coil-over springs-shocks and sway bars
Exterior Upgrades
* SLP ZL® all carbon fiber hood
* SLP ZL® high lip rear spoiler w/carbon fiber finish that matches the hood
* Trunk lid carbon fiber finish that matches the hood
* SLP front fascia with unique grille assembly
* SLP front splitter with carbon fiber finish
* SLP gill insert graphics
* SLP rear diffuser with carbon fiber finish and unique exhaust tips with polished aluminum tips
* ZL1® fender and rear deck lid badging (heritage styling)
* Factory bowtie badges front and rear with blue inserts (heritage styling)
* Painted Rear Tail Light Black-Out Panel
INTERIOR UPGRADES
* ZL1® sequentially numbered dash plaque and key fobs (1-69)
* ZL1® floor mats
* Katzkin® leather interior trim package for front and rear seats, center console, and arm rests, available in 7 colors that
compliment all available body colors, plus hounds tooth cloth seat
inserts (heritage), with ZL1 embroidered logo in head rests, and bowtie
on seat backs.
Available Katzin Interior Accent Colors
ASH – MEDIUM RED – ORANGE – PACIFIC – VANILLA – SUNRISE RED – HOUNDS TOOTH (CLOTH)
ACCESSORIES
* Faux Leather Bound Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, Window Sticker, Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
* ZL1® Car Cover
WARRANTY
* One Year/12,000 Mile (19,000 Kilometer) Limited Warranty
* Not legal for sale or use in California

Edo Competition Outdoes Itself with 227mph – 365 km/h Lamborghini Murcielago LP750

Edo Competition’s previous Lamborghini Murcielago LP640-tune was a 710HP monster capable of reaching a top speed of 352 km/h or 219 mph, which apparently made it the fastest and most powerful Murcielago in the world. Now, the German tuner has gone one step further by introducing a 750HP variant that continues on to a maximum velocity of 365 km/h (227 mph).

The other performance figures are equally impressive, as the LP750 hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.1 seconds, 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.7 seconds and 300 km/h (186 mph) in 24.5 seconds.

The comprehensive engine conversion that makes all this possible includes modified cylinders, new intake system with hand-made manifold and revised air ducts, high flow air filters, reprogrammed Engine Control Unit and a high performance exhaust system. The latter is made from plasma-coated stainless steel and is also available with an optional remote controlled butterfly valve system.

The 6.5-liter V12 engine sends no less than 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of peak torque to all four wheels through a new single plate clutch. However, Edo Competition offers a 40 kg (88 pounds) lighter rear-wheel drive version as well, which is said to be even more agile.

A 300+ km/h (186+ mph) supercar is never complete without an optimized aerodynamics package and the LP750 is no exception. Edo Competition says it has managed to find a good balance between high-speed stability and looks, and is especially proud of the revised rear wing complete with adjustable lip spoiler.

For good measure, the Germans also threw in a set of lightweight alloys, comprised of 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels, shod in 265/35 and 345/30 tires respectively. Unsurprisingly, Edo Competition did not release pricing for the tune.

Hofele Design Turns its Attention on the First-Generation Jaguar XK / XKR

Perhaps best known for its work with models from the Volkswagen Group, Germany's Hofele Design has now revealed a new styling program for the first generation of Jaguar's XK coupe and convertible series built between 1996 and 2005.

The tuner's proposal includes an assortment of body pieces such as the very Aston Marton-like shaped front bumper, optional side skirts, a new rear bumper, a discreet boot lid spoiler, and a pair of round tail lamps with LED units. Also including in the package for the XK are a four-pipe exhaust system and 20-inch "Villa RSV" alloy wheels plus a full leather interior. You can take a better look at Hofele Design's Jaguar Xk in our gallery below.