Mini Cooper S Inspired by Bentley Goodwood

The BMW Group’s decision to launch a new posh version of the Mini hatch called “Mini Inspired by Goodwood” motivated Bulgarian design studio Vilner to develop its own luxed-up variant of the British supermini. However, while the Goodwood model received the Rolls Royce touch, Vilner’s proposal tries to emulate a Bentley – at least in the interior.

Even though Vilner has baptized the car “The Italian Job” as homage to the famous movie, for obvious reasons, a more appropriate name would have been “Mini Inspired by Crewe”. The Bulgarian company has dressed the Mini hatchback’s interior with fine materials such as brown Nappa leather and Alcantara, with parts of the seats, door panels, dashboard and roof lining featuring a diamond shape theme. In addition, the doors have gained elements of black leather while the original plastic was re-sprayed in a sparkling gray finish.

Vilner also took care of the Mini Cooper S’ exterior which sports a grey matte foil-wrap with contrasting black racing stripes and a matching color roof along with new 18-inch alloy wheels.

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 for a Spin Around the Track

Continuing our video finds on the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, here is a film from EVO magazine’s encounter with the brawny Italian supercar at the Vallelunga race track near Rome in Italy. After jumping into the driver’s seat and onto the circuit for a few quick rounds, EVO’s Harry Metcalfe concludes that the Murcielago’s successor is a “real game changer” and possibly the “best super sports car in the world right now”.

Follow the break to see Lamborghini’s V12-powered Aventador LP700-4 on the track, and then weigh in with your own thoughts in comments section below.

Volkswagen Passat by KBR Motorsport

It has been a long time since we last saw a tuning firm getting its hands on the Volkswagen Passat CC, but today we received news on a freshly developed styling and performance package for the mid-size sports saloon by German firm KBR Motorsport.

The tuning company starts on the outside with a bespoke foil-wrap in a so-called dull olive gray finish matched with new 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped around 225/30 ZR20 tires and a new exhaust tail pipe. To Passat CC’s aggressive stance is further enhanced with a lowered KW Variant 3 coilover suspension.

KBR Motorsport’s press release makes word of a tuning kit for the Passat CC’s turbocharged engine that lifts output to 260-horses, but does not specify the powerplant. Looking at the available engine range in Germany, chances are KBR Motorsport’s tune concerns the 2.0-liter TFSi, which delivers 210-horsepower in stock form.

The German tuner said that the complete package is priced at €11,000 or about US$15,800.

Kia Soul Hamstar Special Edition

The success of the popular Hamster advertising campaign that promoted the Soul in the U.S. in 2010 inspired Kia to launch a new special edition model of its boxy crossover model. Previewed by the Hamstar concept at the 2011 SEMA show, the red and black 2011 Hamstar is the sixth special edition Soul. The car sports unique exterior graphics and interior refinements, including a 315-watt audio system with pulsing speaker lights.

The limited-edition Hamstar Soul is based on the Soul+ trim level and wears custom Hamstar artwork, including a black star graphic with the signature Hamstar script logo on the hood and the tailgate, plus matte black stripes on the sides. It also gets body colored bumpers, fog lights, a rear spoiler, black 18-inch alloy wheels with silver edges, black fender vents with integrated turn signal indicator and a matte black fuel door.

Inside, the Hamstar Soul features bespoke Hamstar floor mats, black leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel and gearshift lever, and push button start with smart key. The Audio Upgrade Package includes a center speaker, subwoofer, 315-watt external amplifier and speaker lights.

The Hamstar Soul is powered by a 142HP 2.0-liter petrol engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and is priced from $20,295 (€14,200).

"The Soul was designed to stand out in a sea of sameness and we are committed to keeping it fresh, fun and relevant in the marketplace and the special edition Hamstar Soul is the latest embodiment of that philosophy," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications Kia Motors America.

_______________________________________________________________________

Ferrari 458 Italia by Graf Weckerle

It seems that there is a tune for just about everyone and everything these days, from subtle to extreme, and all points in between. We do not know where exactly this Ferrari 458 Italia from German tuning firm Graf Weckerle fits in that spectrum, but those odd-looking alloy wheels are sure to catch the attention of every passerby.

Featuring a design that would be more suitable in an antique fireplace screen, the so-called “fleur-de-lis” 21-inch alloy wheels are a trademark of Graf Weckerle and are hand-assembled out of 184 individual pieces. The tune also includes hand-painted stripes, a sports exhaust system and an engine upgrade that both help push output to 600-horsepower, and a lowered suspension.

Ford Focus Hatch Loder1899

The all-new Ford Focus has barely launched in Europe but the German aftermarket specialists at Loder1899 have already created a dedicated tuning package. The company dresses the new compact hatchback with numerous carbon-fiber elements such as the front spoiler lip, matching side skirts installed on the door sills and an RS-style rear apron with an integrated air diffuser.

Other improvements include the carbon-fiber headlight covers that the company calls “evil eyes”, while the lower part of the front bumper features LED daytime running lights and fog lights wrapped in chrome. A wide range of alloy wheels in sizes from 18- to 20-inches models round off the exterior package.

Loder1899 also performed a technical upgrade on the diesel-powered Ford Focus, increasing power and torque on the 2.0-liter TDCi engine. By modifying the turbo pressure, the tuner raised output from 163HP to 195HP, and peak torque from 340 Nm (250 lb-ft) to 395 Nm (291 lb-ft).

After the performance updates, Loder1899's Focus accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the factory version. Top speed also increased by 2 km/h to 220 km/h (136.7 mph).

Buyers can either buy the parts separately or order a complete vehicle priced at €27,695 ($39,520) in Germany.

Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro 503H

Every year, fans of the Volkswagen Group get together at the Wörthersee festival, held in Reifnitz, Austria, to share their passion about cars. The show is so big that the VW Group’s brands spare no money to develop dedicated one-off models for the event. Audi’s star attraction at this year’s Worthersee Tour (June 1 to 4, 2011), which celebrates its 30th anniversary, is the ludicrous A1 clubsport Quattro.

The one-off show car is a rally-inspired A1 hatch that uses a heavily modified version of the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine found in the TT RS and the RS3 Sportback. The five-pot normally produces 340-horsepower and 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft), but thanks to the systematic tuning of the turbocharger, intercooler, induction tract and the exhaust, output has been boosted to 503-horsepower and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque.

Power is transferred to all-four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, both sourced from the TT RS and enhanced by Audi’s engineers.

Weighing in at 1,390 kilograms (3,064 pounds), the A1 clubsport quattro can go from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 3.7 seconds, and from 0 to 200km/h (124mph) in just 10.9 seconds. The 50-70mph (80-112km/h) overtaking can be completed in fourth gear in 2.4 seconds. The car’s top speed is electronically governed at 250km/h or 155mph.

Audi’s engineers also equipped the special A1 with a high-performance braking system that includes six-piston callipers that grab perforated carbon fibre-ceramic discs up front and large steel discs at the rear. The car rides on 255/30 low-profile tires mounted on bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels and an adjustable coilover sports suspension.

On the outside, the A1 clubsport quattro is finished in a Glacier White matte paint finish contrasted by high-gloss black roof arches with the roof itself made of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The front wings, the doors and the rear side panels of car have been widened by a total of 60 millimeters (2.3-in.), while it also sports a new front bumper and grille assembly, a vented hood, side exhaust outlets, a large roof wing, a bespoke rear bumper with a diffuser and unique mirrors.

Inside, Audi decided to eliminate the rear seats and use the space to place a large crossbar to further stiffen the body as well as two racing helmets. There are two lightweight bucket seats sourced from the Audi R8 GT that feature a carbon fibre chassis and four-point belts. Many areas are covered with exposed, matte-finished carbon fiber while Audi reduced the car’s weight by removing several features such as the infotainment system. In addition, simple loops replace the handles on the doors, the glove box and the covers of the storage compartments.

While Audi has no current plans to introduce a production version of the show car, the A1 clubsport quattro is believed to hint at an upcoming high-performance version sporting either the S1 or RS1 badge.

Along with its physical debut at the Wörthersee fest, the Audi A1 clubsport quattro will also make a brief online appearance in the Need for Speed World where it will be offered to all players as a free in-game rental car from June 1 – 4.