Purely Aesthetics

A new sport package with R-DESIGN specification is being introduced for all new Volvo C30, S40 and V50 models. The R-DESIGN package replaces and upgrades Volvo’s current Sport trim levels, offering a selection of unique sports-inspired interior and exterior details to the Sport and SE Sport variants. Production of is set on September.

The body finish makes you wonder if this really is a Volvo. Exterior design includes an R-DESIGN badge in the front grille, color-coordinated body kit, rear roof spoiler, silver matte front grille and wing mirrors, exclusive five spoke 17″ alloy wheels for Sport models and 18″ alloy wheels for SE Sport. Inside, a two-tone black and cream upholstery with contrast stitching and embossed R-DESIGN logo awaits the unsuspecting passenger. Other features include leather-trimmed steering wheel with R-DESIGN logo, a unique aluminum R-DESIGN center stack, blue instrument dials, sports pedals and adorned dark floor mats with cream leather seams.

This one is for the aggressive souls who want to add aggressive styles to Scandinavian quality.

Lovebirds will soon be taking the road alone by themselves – with style and compactness.

The BRABUS models of the new smart fortwo will is set to be unleashed on the road. With a redesigned 72 kW/98 bhp three-cylinder turbo engine, the smart fortwo BRABUS and the smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive have 30 percent more power than before and would still boast low fuel consumption. The sporty two-seater accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 km/h.

Despite its compact ‘compactness,’ the new smart fortwo tweaked by BRABUS still exudes with sleekness of a true sports compact. For instance, it features “Monoblock VI” alloy wheels with wide tires measuring 175/50 R 16 at the front and 225/35 R 17 at the rear, wider rear wheel arches, a sports exhaust system with centrally positioned stainless steel tailpipes and a body that has reduced ground clearance by ten millimeters. In the interior cockpit instruments with specially designed dials, BRABUS sports pedals and a three-spoke leather steering wheel with shift paddles underline the model’s exclusivity. The transmission and suspension also have a sporty setup.

The smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive lives up to its name with additional equipment details such as H7 projection headlamps with titanium surrounds, a front spoiler with enlarged air inlets, striking side skirts and a rear apron painted with the body’s color. The seats are covered with fine leather and are heated. The leather-effect instrument panel features aluminum-look trim components.

Indeed, BRABUS has taken precise steps to make the smart fortwo a virtual mini roadster.

Just a week after a successful run-in in Florida’s summer hot spot Miami, the 2007 DUB Custom Auto Show & Concert series took Atlantic City’s centerstage last June 24. This time, around 11,000 enthusiasts saw firsthand slews of sizzling custom cars and trucks. Some of the highlights of the event include hip-hop performances and the exhibition of fully-pimped up cars with nail-biting interior accents and lively cabins.

Under Miami’s scorching sun, the Dub Custom Auto Show & Concert 2007 continued its sizzling ways as the premier automobile show in country landed in Florida’s largest metropolis last June 17.

This time, more than 16,000 enthusiasts trooped to see the hottest customized cars and trucks and experience non-stop hip hop performances.

Hundreds of customized sport compacts, luxury, exotic, 4x4 and SUVs were on display, and Miami had some of the most amazing custom rides so far this year. Highlights included The new DUB customized Dodge Nitro for the Pepsi Street Motion tour.

Next stop is in Atlantic City, NJ, on June 24.

Having a BMW X5 would have given any owner an imposing will on the road. Add up a sport kit that includes 20-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, body styling, sports seats, roof rails and a leather steering wheel and you’ll have a looker that is both kickass and jaw-dropping.

Powered by a 355HP 4.8-litre V8 engine workhorse, the X5 M Sport is now on sale. It’s just a pity the more economical 3.0D version won’t be available until next year.

Damn, this one could have rolled over the opposition very easily.

Sporting a 7.7L engine and the looks to drool for, this year’s Los Angeles Concours d’Elegance poster car is the 82-year-old Rolls-Royce Phantom I Aerodynamic Coupe. This black beauty showed no ill effects of almost century-long service, as it never failed to turn heads 360 degrees.

Originally delivered to its owner wearing a more humble Hooper Cabriolet body in 1925, it was sold to the Raja of Nanpara soon after. It changed hands again but stayed in England until 1934, when another owner sent it to Belgium to be re-bodied by Carrossier Jonckheere.

It was aerodynamically absurd on the rear, but still managed to retain her royal looks up front.

Hmmmmm… I think I saw a similar coupe in Gotham.

Flashback to 1960s. Rear-engined cars were everywhere. Fancy, they were surely not. But hey, they’ll make the modern compacts and sedans run for their money with the old sedans’ sturdy body construction and plenty of headroom.

It’s only a pity we won’t be seeing them on the road nowadays. But thanks to the annual Orphan Car Show, now on its 11th edition, once more, enthusiasts were treated to a ride back in time, and witness first hand, a bunch of Checkers, Studebakers and Hupmobiles, Packards, Ann Arbor, DeSotos, Monarch Lucerne, and the fabled Corvair.

The Orphan Car Show, held in Michigan this year, is dedicated to brands and nameplates that are either no longer being produced or not available in the United States anymore. Several of the defunct brands were produced in the Ypsilanti area in the years before and after World War II, including some that were built in the former B-24 bomber factory in Willow Run.

The old cars were typically made with air-cooled flat-6 hanging off the rear axle and a nasty swing axle suspension. They weren’t fancy aesthetically, save for some aerodynamically constructed ones, but they were extremely durable and had plenty of room in the back for passengers and their luggage.

Over 15,000 Charlotte auto enthusiasts were treated to an impressive display of rides and talents as the 2007 DUB Custom Auto Show & Concert landed in North Carolina’s largest city last June 3.

Just like in its first five stops, the DUB Auto Show flaunted hundreds of customized sport compacts, luxury, exotic, 4x4 and SUVs. Aside from the rides of Gwen Stefani, The Game, and Danity Kane, which were exhibited in the previous legs – local heroes, such as James Anderson, Eric Shelton, and Chris Gamble showcased their own pimped up compacts and SUVs.

Charlotte’s concert stage was rocked with non-stop hip hop performances from Lil Scrappy, Sammie, Lloyd, and Young Buck.

It will only get more sizzling as DUB next lands at Florida’s hotpot, Miami on June 17.