This Honda CR-X / Civic del Sol has Seen Better Days

Honda's 1990s Civic del Sol, also known as the CR-X del Sol in some parts of the world and the last generation CR-X in Europe, wasn't the Japanese brand's proudest styling moment – without the rear spoiler it looked like a cartoonish pickup truck, but this tune makes the original look gorgeous in comparison… 

Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Hits the 400PS Mark, Courtesy of Brabus

For most people, the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG has plenty of power and sporty enough looks. Not for Brabus, though, as the German aftermarket specialist has released a styling kit for the most powerful CLA model. 

Polish-Style Luxo Makeover for Ford F-150

Who knew that Ford's ever so popular in the States, F-150, would not only have fans across the pond, but that one would go as far as to revamp the pickup truck's entire interior.

Studiotorino's Moncenisio is a $200,000+ Coachbuilt Kit for the Porsche Cayman

Some $200,000 or €145,000 excluding taxes, transport costs and more importantly, the price for the donor Porsche Cayman that starts new from $52,600 in the US and from €51,385 in Germany for the base 275PS (271hp) model, is a whole lot of money, and it's what Italy's Studiotorino is asking for their new coachbuilt coupe named Moncenisio. 

Jesse James' Texas Barbeque Take on the Toyota Tundra

You may know Jesse James as a reality television personality, but his main job is being the owner and CEO of West Coast Choppers (WCC), which will be heading to the SEMA Show (November 5-8) with a custom concept of the Toyota Tundra truck with a Texas barbecue theme.

Now, you'll probably be wondering, "where the heck is the Texas barbeque theme?", and rightfully so, since nothing of the sort can be seen in the two pictures released by Toyota.

Well, it’s all hidden under the Tundra's covered truck bed as James says he drew inspiration from Texas restaurateur Tim Love to build an 8-foot combination KitchenAidÒoven and white oak chopping block that extends from the tailgate.

“We didn’t want anything silly. We wanted a high-end look to go along with the fully serviceable chef’s kitchen,” James said. “Nothing is visible until you slide out the stovetop from the back. It came out great.”

The exterior of the Toyota truck has been modded with wheel arch extensions, bigger off-road wheels, a Camburg suspension and N-FAB nerf steps.

PHOTO GALLERY

I Couldn’t Say No to this Ferrari F40 with a Custom Exhaust

If you had a Ferrari F40, I bet that you, like me, would not touch it inappropriately in any way, and keep it stock. It’s great just the way it is, and with its performance numbers still being comparable to those of modern supercars and a timeless look, why would you?

However, I think there’s nothing wrong about swapping out its stock exhaust system for a louder one. It doesn’t affect the car in any other way, really, and it’s completely reversible, should you decided to sell it on with the aim to pass it on as a complete original. The results speak for themselves, as the video posted below courtesy of YouTube author NM2255.

He just uploaded an onboard and flame-spitting video featuring an F40 with a custom Tubi Style exhaust. This has a significant effect on the sound note, which comes out really clearly in the high quality HD video. It just sounds rawer than stock F40s we’ve heard before, and it also retains the trademark three pipe design at the back.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Hennessey Smokes Out New Entry Level Corvette HPE500

We know that the words "base" and "entry-level" have negative connotations, but don't forget it's horsepower-possessed Hennessey Performance that we're talking about here, so even the brand's introductory Corvette Stingray tune has enough power to rattle your insides…

Joining the already announced 600HP, 700HP, 800HP and 1,000HP supercharged programs, is the base HPE500 upgrade, which while keeping the C7's 6.2-liter V8 unit naturally aspirated, it adds 52hp and 58 lb-ft for a total of 507hp at 6,300 rpm and 518 lb-ft of peak torque at 3,800rpm.

Hennessey says that the Corvette Stingray HPE500 completes the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in 3.8 seconds (GM has stated that the base C7 does the same in "under 4 seconds") and the quarter mile in just 11.7 seconds with an exit speed of 122mph (196.3 km/h).

The HPE500 package will be limited to 500 units for the 2014 model year.

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

ABT Spices Up Audi RS6 Avant to the Tune of 700 PS Creating the 'Über-Kombi'

If you want your new 2013 Audi RS6 Avant to perfrom better than it already does (not that you’d need to, really), and have subtle visual tweaks to hint at it, then VW Group tuner ABT Sportsline is one of the best bets. Crazy-powerful Audis are their most extreme products, and this new RS6, with its 700 PS (690 hp) tuned twin-turbo V8 is close to the top of the pile.

Originally putting out 560 PS (552 hp), the tuner says the boost in power and torque bestows the uber-fast estate with 25 percent better overall performance. Speaking of torque, that is obviously important in achieving the stated figures, and it’s up too, from the factory standard 700 Nm (516 lb-ft), to a claimed 880 Nm (695 lb-ft).

Acceleration times from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) are therefore slashed by half a second, from the factory stated 3.9 seconds to 3.5. Impressively, this rather boxy-looking estate will keep accelerating all the way to 320 km/h (200 mph).

Visually, other than the noticeable 20- or 22-inch rims that are unique to the ABT-tuned model, lowered suspension and carbon mirror caps, it’s just as in-your-face as any other RS6. Spot the mods in the gallery below.

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY

Chevrolet Reveals its Pimped Trucks for SEMA, Including New 2015 Tahoe and Suburban

Chevrolet has blown the covers off its concept trucks and SUVs on the eve of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Besides the high-performance Silverado Cheyenne concept, the GM brand has brought five other Silverado-based custom concepts, as well as two studies based on the Tahoe SUV and one based on the Suburban.

The 2015 Chevrolet Suburban Half-Pipe Concept targets winter sports’ fans and is equipped to haul adventurers and all their ski and snowboard gear to the slopes. The SUV is equipped with Chevrolet Accessories’ roof rack and crossbars to mount skis and other equipment along with Chevrolet Accessories 22-inch wheels and center caps for a more distinctive appearance. The interior features a Blu-ray-based rear-seat entertainment system and leather-trimmed seats.

The Tahoe Black concept is an aggressive take on the full-size SUV thanks to the lowered stance, all-black profile and a custom aero-style body package. The blacked-out exterior trim, Chevrolet Accessories 22-inch wheels custom-painted dark gray, tinted headlamps and tinted windows all around also contribute to the Tahoe’s sinister look. On the inside, the Tahoe is trimmed in black leather with Carbon Flash Metallic trim accents.

There's also the Tahoe Police concept that offers a preview of how the future police version of the new Tahoe could look like. The SUV includes the Tahoe 9C1 police package’s standard equipment, including a 5.3L V-8 engine rated at 355 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch steel wheels, police-specific suspension and auxiliary battery for emergency equipment.

The Brad Paisley Signature Silverado is a signature-edition concept dedicated to country music star Brad Paisley, who collaborated with Chevrolet designers on the truck. The custom Silverado features a custom paint job, high-performance accents, a lowered stance and an amped-up sound system. Paisley’s logo is featured on the paint scheme, while performance upgrades include a hood extractor vent, tailgate aero lip and Borla exhaust system. On the inside, there’s a rear-seat entertainment system and a Kicker subwoofer.

Another Silverado dedicated to a celebrity is the Tony Stewart Silverado concept. The NASCAR driver and team owner collaborated on the design of the custom truck, which features Smoke graphics that symbolize his racing spirit, a Dark Tarnished Silver color, tinted headlights and taillights as well as several Chevrolet Accessories components. These are a tonneau cover, four-inch chrome assist steps and 22-inch wheels with a custom finish. The headrests feature Stewart’s signature.

The Silverado Volunteer Firefighter concept is not new, as it was previewed in September. The concept shows how the new Silverado can be adapted for fire departments. The Silverado Double Cab equipped with the Z71 Off-Road suspension features a series of rescue equipment and offers room for personal gear such as a turnout coat and pants, firefighter helmet, air pack and gloves. Outfitting includes tools and safety equipment needed in a support vehicle.

Also revealed in September, the Silverado Black Ops concept includes features designed to offer support in an emergency – including custom-fabricated lower body armor and a lockable, bed-mounted Truck Vault storage unit. It holds a solar power pack, a pair of gas masks, gloves, military first aid kit, folding shovel and rope, among many others.

Chevrolet’s 2013 SEMA lineup also includes the Silverado HD Dually tow vehicle, which demonstrates the hauling capability of the all-new 2015 Silverado HD. The crew cab concept is shown in Chevrolet’s SEMA Show display hitched to a custom trailer holding a COPO Camaro race car and with a new COPO racing engine and transmission in the bed.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY