2008 Opel Astra OPC Nurburgring Edition

At the start of the fourth round of the OPC Race Camp, Opel unveils the Astra OPC Nurburgring Edition, a limited special edition version of the successful three-door model. The Nurburgring Edition emphasizes the connection between the racetrack steeped in tradition and the Opel brand. The Nurburgring, and in particular the legendary Nordschleife, are rightfully known as Opel territory, as this is where Opel production cars are extensively tested during their development stage. Manuel Reuter first highlighted the OPC models’ performance power in 2005, when he set a circuit record with the Astra OPC in this vehicle class. With the special Astra OPC Nurburgring Edition, Opel now raises the connection to the Nordschleife to a new level.

The Nurburgring Edition is particularly eye-catching thanks to the sporty white lacquer, large rear spoiler, as well as exterior mirrors and B-pillars in carbon look. The racing circuit’s red signet also adorns the B-pillars. The second-generation IDSPlus2 chassis is familiar from the Vectra and Zafira OPC models and ensures even greater driving dynamics in the Astra OPC Nurburgring Edition. Weight optimized white rims, a two-millimeter wider track and ultra high performance tires complete the high-performance package. The interior features special full leather trim, carbon-look decor and a badge on the glove compartment with engraved serial number. An image of the race track is also engraved in the head rests. The special edition’s 240 bhp 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine takes it from zero to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds and to a top speed of 151 mph. The front-wheel drive model comes with a sportily tuned six-speed manual transmission.

“The special edition model is a tribute to the Nurburgring and our customers, who have made the Astra OPC the best-selling OPC model of the current generation,” says Alain Visser, Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Adam Opel GmbH. The special edition Astra OPC Nurburgring Edition goes on sale in the first quarter of 2008.

OPC Race Camp Makes Racing Dream Come True

The fourth level of the OPC Race Camp that starts this month (August 2007) on the Nordschleife is the perfect stage for presenting the Astra OPC Nurburgring Edition. Opel breaks new ground with the OPC Race Camp – a professional talent casting that helps ordinary drivers discover and develop their motor racing skills. 500 candidates were chosen from the almost 18,500 applicants in the first round, which took place in April. Since then, further selection has taken place and today, 20 racing talents go into the fourth round hoping to capture one of the coveted eight positions in the race team that will participate in the legendary 24-hour race on the Nurburgring in 2008.

With its sporty OPC model range (Opel Performance Center) and OPC Race Camp, Opel now opens up a new range of possibilities in its traditional domain of popular motorsport. Candidates must have the talent and determination to achieve their dream of race car driving, while Opel provides them with the cars, the professional training and the necessary organizational support. After all, the dream of being a racing driver often dissipates because of the high investments that are required. Alain Visser sees the OPC Race Camp as a motorsport venture with good prospects for the future: “With the OPC Race Camp, Opel opens a completely new dimension in motorsport. The Race Camp addresses friends of motorsport that would otherwise experience car racing from the sidelines at best. It is an ideal project for Opel’s participation in popular motorsport because we can get our fans even more directly involved.”

Opel Racing Driver Star Wanted

Another new idea is the focus on people and excitement at the OPC Race Camp. The fortune of the candidates at the various casting levels captivates both the media and outside observers, as do the demands of the thrilling selection processes and training stages. As a result, the OPC Race Camp has strong media partners in print and television, who accompany the entire project with regular and extensive coverage.

The Race Camp candidates use several 240 bhp Astra OPCs as training vehicles, and two racing versions of the compact sports car are ready for later competitive races.

Because of the positive response to the OPC Race Camp – with almost 18,500 inquiries from German-speaking European countries – Opel is considering expanding the Race Camp concept to other European countries.

BMW 6-Series Coupe by AC Schnitzer

The facelifted BMW 6-Series Coupe was released almost a year ago, revealing a more dynamic coupe and convertible with for the first time a diesel engine. AC Schnitzer, the Aachen, Germany based tuning house, has set out to further refine the 6-Series facelift model.

Head designer Michele Viandante has worked on a new front fascia with a sharpened kidney grille, new rear-spoiler with built-in third brake light and side skirts which make the car look more flat than before. A sports rear silence with chromed tailpipe finishes the look in the back.

And even if the car itself may look more flat than before, performance is far from flat. AC Schnitzer has performance packages for both the 650i and the new 635d. AC Schintzer can increase displacement for the 4.8 liter eight-cylinder engine to 5.1 liters resulting in a power increase of 44 hp, to 411 hp. Top speed is increased by 35 km/h from its limited 250 km/h.

Of course the diesel engine is not forgotten, and AC Schnitzer sqeeuzes out and additional 24 hp to reach 310 hp from the 3.0 liter twin-turbo diesel engine, torque increases by 100 Nm to 680 Nm. The ACS6 is available with 20 inch Type VI alloy wheels.

Press release:

More aggressive, more attractive: With its latest facelift, BMW has made its successful 6-series coupé a little more dynamic. Everyone who thinks this measure does not go far enough will welcome the newly restyled aerodynamic components from AC Schnitzer. Like its predecessor, the new front skirt of the ACS6 mirrors the famous kidney design of the grille, but its proportions have been clearly sharpened by Head Designer Michele Viandante. In conjunction with the new- style triangular fog lights from BMW, the car looks considerably more powerful. This impression is reinforced at the restyled rear, where an AC Schnitzer rear spoiler enhances the new design of the tailgate with its dynamic "sharp creases“ and the integral brake light. The Aachen-based vehicle tuner has made the rear skirt slightly smoother than before, which in conjunction with the facelift rear lights make the vehicle appear not only more elegant but also more dynamic – an effect only enhanced by the AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer with chromed tailpipe. Made totally from stainless steel, this is not only an eyecatcher but also optimises engine response.

A touch of sophistication is given by the AC Schnitzer new side skirts which now also look flatter than before. In contrast, the power and torque curves of the uprated engines are anything but flat! This is especially true of the new diesel, which is available in the 6-series for the first time in the facelift model. AC Schnitzer has really turned up the power screw in the 635d in particular: instead of 210 kW/286 HP and 580 Nm, the ACS6 3.5d develops 228 kW/310 HP and 680 Nm.

For genuine petrol-heads, AC Schnitzer offers the 650i with the 5.1 l engine, which in technical terms is almost a completely new engine. Its power rises from 270 kW (367 HP) to a superb 302 kW (411 HP). At the same time, driving performance improves: the top speed increases by 35 km/h. Trimmed with alloy wheels from the AC Schnitzer collection, the new 6-series coupé cuts a fine figure even when stationary, especially with the breathtaking racing rims Type VI in 9.0J x 20" at the front and 10J x 20" at the rear.

Mazda 3 MPS Rally Car Revealed (AU)

Mazda's rally history may not be as rich as some other Japanese marques, but Mazda Australia is more than willing to set the record straight. For their eighth Targa Tasmania excursion, held from April 15-20, Mazda will use a brand new Mazda3 MPS rally car.

Mazda Motorsport chief Allan Horsley heads the team consisting of Rick Bates and Alister McRae and their co-drivers who will compete in the 2WD Showroom competition. Targa Tasmania rules state that the rally cars must be mostly standard, meaning that drivers will compete in cars featuring audio systems, electric windows and carpets and upholstery in tact. Additional safety equipment (roll-cage, five-point harness and fire extinguishers), as well as navigation equipment and extra brake ventilation, is fitted of course.

"The team learned a lot from last year's event," says Bates. "With one Targa in the Mazda3 MPS under our belts we're all a lot more educated in terms of vehicle preparation and conservation during the event." The Targa Tasmania covers 2,000 km over five days of competition.

The Mazda 3 MPS rally car is powered by a 2.3 liter direct injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 190kW (255 hp) with 380 Nm of torque and is coupled to a six-speed manual. It weighs 1403 kg and uses 320mm ventilated brakes in front and 280 solid discs in the rear.

Press release:

Mazda Australia today whipped the covers off its brand new Mazda3 MPS rally car ahead of its motorsport debut at next week's Targa Tasmania.

Australia's top-selling importer will unleash two Mazda3 MPS rally cars on the country's pre-eminent tarmac endurance event, held from April 15-20. Professional rally drivers Rick Bates and Alister McRae will spearhead the company's eighth Targa campaign.

Built under the watchful eye of Mazda Motorsport chief Allan Horsley, the 190kW Mazda3 MPS front-wheel-drive hot hatches will contest the event's 2WD Showroom competition, travelling 2000km over five gruelling days of competition.

The team's preparation for the rally commenced this week with Bates, McRae and co-drivers arriving in Tasmania to survey the course. Before the event starts next Tuesday both Bates and McRae will have driven all the daunting stages twice.

"Reconnaissance is the most important part of any rally," says Targa first-timer McRae. "It allows us to focus on when we will need to drive flat out and where it will be possible to conserve the car and tyres."

Team mate Rick Bates is lining up for his sixth assault on Targa. He's on a mission to better his 2007 result - an outstanding 10th outright - and says he's got the equipment and the knowledge to do it.

"The team learnt a lot from last year's event," says Bates. "With one Targa in the Mazda3 MPS under our belts we're all a lot more educated in terms of vehicle preparation and conservation during the event."

"Personally, I'm feeling more confident behind the wheel now that I've spent more time in the car. I have a better understanding of exactly how the Mazda3 MPS handles Targa's tricky and changing road conditions."

Ready the Targa Army
Targa Tasmania's racing regulations require that the Mazda3 MPS rally car remain essentially standard. That means both Mazda3 MPS race cars will compete with standard audio equipment, power windows and carpets and upholstery intact.

Suspension springs, shock absorbers, brake pads, seats, belts and the steering wheel have been replaced. A PCD roll cage, racing seats with five-point safety harnesses, fire extinguishers and navigating equipment have been added for competition.

Additional ventilation is allowed to the brake discs of the Mazda3 MPS, and mufflers and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may also be modified. Catalytic converters must remain standard. The engine, gearbox, differential and drivetrain are also standard.

2007 BMW AC Schnitzer Z4 Profile Concept

Take the first ascent of the Mount Everest, the expeditions to the poles or the dive into the 6.77 mile deep canyon of the Mariana Trench. There have always been individuals and extreme characters who have pushed our boundaries and discovered new terrain. An extreme region for automotive tuners, where only a few venture, has always been the BMW M-series cars, in particular the uncompromising Z4 M-Coupe, a thoroughbred driving machine.

But the fact that the limits of this extraordinary car are far from reached is evident from the new concept vehicle by AC Schnitzer - the Profile - even at first glance. Classic engine tuning hauls the power of the high-revving six-cylinder in-line plant to a robust 350 bhp. Not only is a special "active breathing" airbox used, but the engine control unit has been remapped. But power alone isn’t enough to get the maximum from an athletic heart. So the modified rear axle ratio of 3.91:1 provides better sprint capacity, while the perfectly smooth transmission with the AC Schnitzer Short Shift ensures crisp changes by the driver.

And as you listen to the sonorous baritone note of the left/right sports exhaust system with the trapezoid tailpipes, you could be deceived into thinking that the driver is not changing gears, but
playing some kind of a musical instrument. A feast for all the senses. Visually the stunning color combination of white-orange casts its spell and perfectly enhances the exquisite contours of the AC Schnitzer bodykit. From the front skirt with its suggestive cup-wings via the widened wheelarches and flanks with the gill-like vents - as already used on the legendary BMW 507- the dynamic line is drawn over the bulging side skirts to the rear skirt with carbon diffuser. The whole is crowned by a rear spoiler and a fascinatingly styled roof wing. The forged alloy Type V wheels from the standard AC Schnitzer collection are a work of art in themselves. Filigree design yet with an air of solidity, in size 9.0J x 20" at the front and 10.0J x 20" at the rear, these wheels are the perfect adornment combined with tires size 235/30 ZR20 front and 295/25 ZR20 rear.

But traction alone isn't everything, and the dynamics are supported by the AC Schnitzer suspension with its racing heritage, set up in the Green Hell of the Nürburgring. An aluminum strut brace in "Racing“ style not only catches the eye but limits the torsion of the front body. Thanks to the AC Schnitzer racing seats, the driver always holds position. And the carbon interior trim and pedal set, with decor elements of aluminum, radiate pure racing flair.

2009 Bentley Brooklands

The Bentley Brooklands is a stunning new model that marks the company’s return to the luxury coupe market and reaffirms its reputation as creator of the world’s most exclusive coupes. It is the ultimate Bentley: a stylish, four-seat, grand touring coupe with classic British proportions and muscular performance.

Bentley’s chairman Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen describes the motivation behind the new coupe: “Bentley’s proud sporting pedigree, forged by the exploits of the immortal ‘Bentley Boys’ on the famous Brooklands* racetrack in the 1920s, was the inspiration for our new coupe, capturing all the style, power and splendour of that era.”

Sporting design cues are matched by the phenomenal performance engineering of Bentley’s legendary Crewe-built V8 engine. The new Bentley Brooklands possesses the most powerful V8 the company has ever produced – a 530 bhp, twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter unit that also produces a prodigious 775 lb-ft of torque.

Each Brooklands coupe will be hand-assembled, employing traditional coach-building techniques and the craftsmanship skills in wood veneer and leather hide for which Bentley is renowned. To ensure exclusivity, lifetime production will be strictly limited to just 550 cars, with deliveries expected to start in the first half of 2008.

Exterior Design: Classic British Proportions


Bentley’s rich coupe heritage provided the stimulus for Director of Styling, Dirk van Braeckel and his design team. For van Braeckel, the task was very clear: “To create a powerful, muscular and rakish grand touring coupe with classic British proportions, in the finest Bentley tradition.”

While the new Brooklands is influenced by Bentley’s fine coupe lineage, its design and engineering are thoroughly contemporary. The proportions of long bonnet, short front overhang and long rear overhang achieve the design objective perfectly, while the low roofline, steeply raked screens and pillarless side glass convey both power and movement.

As the Brooklands will be built in very limited volume, the designers were able to introduce unique features that necessitate specialist coach-building techniques, as Programme Director, Ashley Wickham, reveals: “The Brooklands’ beautiful flowing lines are testament to the traditional coach-building skills and craftsmanship of Crewe’s highly talented workforce.”

Peerless Craftsmanship with a Sporting Character in the Interior Design

As in every Bentley, peerless craftsmanship is to the fore, enhanced by the warmth and richness of the finest natural materials. To tailor for their individual requirements, customers may choose from an extensive palette of hides, veneers, carpet tones and seat belt colors.

Its four-seat architecture and deeply bolstered seats lend the Brooklands’ interior a distinctly sporting atmosphere, complemented by design accents such as aluminum foot pedals and footrest. A new, single-piece, hide-trimmed roof lining flows uninterrupted from the front windscreen all the way to the rear of the car, mirroring the long, sleek profile of the elegant exterior.

The interior designers sought to offer the very highest levels of comfort and legroom, in true Bentley grand touring tradition, while the pillarless window design enhances the feeling of space.

Most Powerful Crewe-built V8 Ever

Beneath its muscular, rakish, coach-built body lies the most powerful Crewe-builtV8 engine ever produced, developing 530 bhp. Maximum torque is an astonishing 775 lb-ft, the highest ever developed by a production V8 engine. Although performance figures are subject to final confirmation as part of the on-going development program, the new Bentley coupe will deliver supercar levels of in-gear acceleration combined with Arnage refinement.

At the beginning of the project, Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering, tasked his power train specialists to deliver an extraordinary driving experience in the Bentley coupe tradition: “Exhilarating, effortless, accessible performance for those truly passionate about their driving was our prime objective.”

As with the latest Arnage, the V8 engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with strengthened casing that transforms the way in which both parts of the drive train communicate. A sophisticated, locking torque converter and ESP system ensure that the driver can readily access the prodigious power. A semi-automatic function allows manual gear selection for even greater driver control.

*The challenging Brooklands banked racetrack, which this year celebrates its centenary, was the birthplace of British motor racing. During the 1920s and early thirties, Brooklands, located in Surrey, England, was the scene of some of Bentley’s greatest racing triumphs, forging an inextricable link between the company’s motorsport heritage and this historic race circuit.