Range Rover

Volvo has just unveiled the S60 Performance Project, which is co-developed with Polestar and Heico.

The car features a sport exhaust system and 19-inch wheels shod in Pirelli tyres provided by Heico. It also features a lowered sports suspension and stiffer springs and bushings, features already found on the S60 T6 R Design.

Under the hood, Polestar installed a revised ECU which enables the turbocharged 3.0-liter engine to produce 325 hp (242 kW / 330 PS) and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque - an increase of 25 hp (18 kW / 25 PS) and 29 lb-ft (40 Nm). While this sounds impressive, it isn't. Volvo has previously announced the 2012 S60 R-Design will have a revised inline-six with - surprise, surprise - 325 hp (242 kW / 330 PS) and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque.

Inside, the R Design interior comes up with leather clad three spoke steering wheel, sports seats with firmer side bolstering, aluminium ridged pedals and blue surround on dial.





Press Release

Volvo Car Australia Unveils S60 Performance Project

Melbourne: Volvo Car Australia has pulled the wraps of a performance version of its S60 flagship sedan.

The S60 T6 already boasts excellent performance credentials in its class but the Swedish car maker has upped the ante by developing a new project, dubbed the S60 Performance Project.

The show car is based on the S60 T6 R Design. It is an Australian initiative and utilises two partnerships within the Volvo family - Polestar and Heico.

The engine software upgrade comes from Volvo's racing arm, Polestar. Power increases by 18kW to 242kW while torque is increased by 40Nm to 480Nm with up to 22 per cent gains in power and torque at various parts of the rev range.

The S60 Performance Project sits on unique 19-inch Heico wheels and the German tuning house has also provided an exhaust system to further accentuate the S60's great engine note. The Heico wheels are shod with Pirelli tyres.

Polestar was founded in 1996 in collaboration with Volvo in order to drive forward Volvo's investment in racing. Since then, Polestar has competed with the 850, S40, S60 and2 now the C30 Volvo models. The company's core business is focused on development and competition in racing.

Volvo and Heico also have a long standing partnership. It all began in 1989 with the grand opening of the Hedtke Volvo dealership in Weiterstadt, Germany. ``Volvo is not traditionally recognized for performance in Australia but that is changing,'' says Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Matt Braid.

``The S60 T6 already boasts excellent performance credentials and the S60 Performance Project takes that even further. With the extra power, torque and unique wheels and exhaust system the S60 Performance Project really is a very special edition S60.''

Like the R Design models the S60 Performance Project has been lowered by 15mm and features sports suspension that includes monotube damping at the rear, 15 per cent stiffer springs and the bushings that are 20 percent stiffer compared with the dynamic chassis in the regular S60 models.

Inside, the S60 Performance Project has the R Design interior which adds sports seats with firmer side bolstering, leather clad three spoke steering wheel, dials with blue surrounds and aluminium ridged pedals.

Volvo Car Australia is currently evaluating S60 Performance Project. Depending on customer demand there may be the option to build the S60 show car in limited numbers.

The German tunes over at Edo Competition have revealed their tuning program for the BMW M5 Touring. Known to develop aftermarket upgrades for exotic supercars, this time they took probably the most practical high performance vehicle out there and squeezed more hp from the power unit.

Total output has been boosted from 373kW and 521 Nm to a beastly 413kW and 560 Nm. The sinister M5 Dark Edition can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds (0.5 seconds faster than the standard model) and the 100km/h -200km/h acceleration in under 10 seconds. The pesky limiter has been removed so this M5 Touring can reach a terrifying top speed of 305km/h.

Starting with the engine, the uprated V10 produces 555 PS / 542 bhp / 405 kW (serial 500 PS / 493 bhp / 368 kW) via recalibrated ECU, sports air filter, new sports catalysts and a specially designed sports exhaust system. As a result, peak torque grows from 521 to 560 Nm while the V-max is now 305 km/h, 190 mph (serial: capped at 250 km/h, 155 mph). Acceleration drops 0.5 seconds to 4.2 seconds during the 0-100 km/h, 62 mph sprint and running 100 to 200 km/h, 124 mph arrives in under 10 seconds.

In the cabin, Edo Competition offers all sorts of customisation options including leather upholsteries and extensive carbon trim.





Press Release

Authority, power and supreme driving dynamics

Black, extremely quick and imposing, that's the edo M5 Dark Edition.

Family transport with a modified V10 power plant and no less than 555 horsepower. This athletic yet formal performance wagon by edo competition doesn't just look impressive; it also has more than enough muscle to back up its appearance.

It goes without saying that the looks of an edo competition car have to match its performance. The modified front and the new rear skirt revealing four chromed exhaust tips make a fashion statement, while an upgraded high-flow exhaust system provides the soundtrack. The low-pitched rumble at idle turns into a powerful staccato towards the upper end of the rev range. The eye-catching rear wing - along with the other exterior modifications - helps the edo M5 Dark Edition to a sinister presence from all angles, and the new 20 in. light alloy wheels with painted centers and Dunlop tires (255/35 R20 fronts, 285/30 R20 rears) do their part to improve the car's stance.

A production M5 has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), but thanks to a recalibrated ECU, high-flow air filters and catalytic converters as well as a newly developed high-performance exhaust system, this car's power output was increased from 500 to 555 horsepower. Its maximum torque output now stands at 560 Nm (413 lb-ft), up from 521 Nm (384 lb-ft). By removing the governor, a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph) could be realized.

The additional power also has an effect on the acceleration: At 4.2 seconds, this two ton vehicle reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) 0.5 seconds quicker than the factory version. Accelerating from 100 km/h to 200 km/h in under 10 seconds, the gap between the edo M5 and the stock car grows to 5.0 seconds.

The upgraded interior makes the whole package even more compelling, thanks to its impeccable quality and the care that was taken in selecting the finest materials. From carbon fiber to precious leather, all the customer's wishes were met with this one of a kind interior. The high-performance wagon had its speedometer extended to 360 km/h and white dials with a backlit logo were installed as a finishing touch.

But the edo M5 Dark Edition is not just an athlete; it also makes a great daily driver with 5 seats and generous cargo space. On the way to the supermarket this rocket ship is perfectly tame, thanks to its remarkable level of comfort and the wonderfully smooth V10 engine. Casual observers would never guess what lurks under the hood.

All modifications are carried out exclusively at edo competition Motorsport GmbH in Ahlen.

HSV has releases new SV Black Edition variants for its Maloo R8 ute, ClubSport R8 sedan and Clubsport R8 Tourer.

The “SV Black Edition” will be offered with matte black detailing, a Vector hood scoop and fender gills, HSV’s bi-modal exhaust system, and 20-inch forged alloy wheels.

The standard equipment list includes a reversing camera, park assist, and satellite navigation. There will only be 225 units built and, despite the “Black Edition” name, this special edition will be offered in Sting Red, Heron White, Alto Grey, Nitrate Silver, and Phantom (black).

Inside, the console, instrument panel and steering wheel all get a fresh finish. Onyx leather trim, matte black badging, special edition sill plates, unique numbered build plate and a lip spoiler on the ClubSport R8 round out the package.

Production will be limited to 100 ClubSport R8s, 100 Maloo R8s and 25 ClubSport R8 Tourer’s. In Australia, the ute will be the cheapest of the bunch at AU$67,990, while the SV Black Edition costs AU$71,990 for the Clubsport R8 and AU$72,990 for the ClubSport R8 Tourer.