2010 Kia Sorento SUV Geared up by Cobra Technology & Lifestyle

The new generation Kia Sorento that made its debut earlier this year is the latest object of Cobra Technology & Lifestyle's tuning affections. Not that most Sorento buyers will actually ever need bull bars - that is, unless your parking skills are worse 16-year-old that just got his license, but Cobra offers a variety of front, rear and rocker panel guards including a lower front bar with integrated LED daytime running lights.

Once you're done with the body armor, you can also choose from numerous alloy wheel designs with diameters of 19 and 20 inches. The largest alloy wheels can be fitted with tires in size 265/45 R 20.

Loder1899 Powers Up the New Ford Focus RS to 345HP

We reckon it's risky game trying to feed more ponies to the front-wheels of the new 300HP Ford Focus RS as there's a strong possibility that you'll end up ruining the car's handling, but then again we could be wrong. Fortunately for those that disagree with us there are plenty of tuners out there that can and will spruce up Ford's Euro hot hatch. Germany's Loder1899 is one of those companies as the tuner presented a new sport package for the second-generation Focus RS.
A sport exhaust system, a new air filter and some other upgrades that are not mentioned up the output of the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five by 40 ponies for a total of 345 HP. The company also promises that the new exhaust system will alert your friends, neighbors etc, etc that you've fiddled around with the engine - if you catch our drift.

Furthermore, the Focus RS's body has been lowered 35mm or 1.4 inches while Loder1899 also offers a choice of 20-inch alloy wheels in various designs.

2010 Ford Taurus and Fusion Tuning Concepts

There will be no shortage of modified Ford vehicles at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas next week as the American automaker has planned more premieres than we can list on one post without 'scrolling' you to death. We've already told you about the 2010 Mustangs, Lincolns and F-150s concept / tuned models, now it's time to brief you on the modified 2010 Taurus and Fusion sedans. Hit the break to check out the image gallery with separate descriptions for each model.


-From Ford Press Release-

2010 Ford Taurus by Tommy Z Design

The Ford Taurus lends itself quite easily to the Superlux Youthful Styling and yet it remains sophisticated. Tommy Z embellished this great vehicle with his own classic VIP luxury style and components.

2010 Ford Taurus SHO by Mobsteel

The Ford Taurus SHO and Mobsteel are both committed to being anything but ordinary. So it's no surprise that the Taurus SHO by Mobsteel is one extraordinary vehicle. The trademark black-on-black Mobsteel paint job, custom fascias, and a host of trim touches and details give this 2010 Taurus SHO a tough menacing look, whether coming or going. And that's just the beginning, as this SHO has the goods both inside and out.

The bad boy rides on massive 22-inch Mobsteel forged two-piece wheels and super-low-profile Pirelli PZero Nero tires. A completely customized chassis with Air Runner front struts and Mobsteel adjustable rear air ride provide attitude to the max. The Magnaflow Performance cat-back exhaust and JL Audio equipment make this Taurus SHO sound as tough as it looks.

2010 Ford Taurus "Best of SHO" by MRT-Direct

MRT-Direct gives its signature classy touches to this Taurus SHO by adding subtle ground effect treatment, and a black cherry roof and custom vented hood. Increased performance is achieved through turbo system efficiencies, an exhaust upgrade, and wheel, tire and suspension modifications. The cabin is designed to be sporty and comfortable, while a Kicker sound system delivers the final beat.

2010 Ford Fusion Sport by Aaron Vaccar Signature Series

Young custom car designer Aaron Vaccar, most noted for his work with modern and sport compact vehicles, has taken his knowledge of next-generation styling and applied it to the new Ford Fusion Sport. Speed, style and sound – quite simply, this Fusion reveals that such a balance does exist in a sport-tuned street car. Upgraded with the thrills of a turbocharged motor, this Fusion now packs even more power to back up its stunning looks.

Noting that function needs to meet form, the entire audio and trunk enclosures have been designed to seamlessly integrate into the vehicle's styling and practicality. Tastefully mix the right combination of modifications, a bit of unique style combined with an already impressive platform, and what you get is this Aaron Vaccar Signature Series Fusion Sport.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid by M&J Enterprises

This Ford Fusion Hybrid by M&J Enterprises showcases a variety of eco-friendly accessories and aerodynamic parts. These range from air splitters to heat-reflective paint, window film and a vehicle data display. All items are either lighter in weight than the factory items, increase fuel economy or eliminate petroleum-based products.

The data display helps increase the consumer's environmental awareness. The whole package delivers a desirable, eco-friendly Ford Fusion aimed at consumers who like to customize their vehicles and are concerned with environmental issues.

2010 Ford Fusion "T4" by MRT

This custom version of the fun, sporty, fuel-efficient Ford Fusion successfully combines the best of all worlds. MRT started with clever but subtle appearance changes to the exterior trim and paint. Next, they brought the same sport feel and style to the interior with revised seating and interior trim accents. The fun-to-drive factor is kicked up a notch with a single intercooled turbocharger and Street Performance coil-over suspension.

To unleash the full potential of the awesome turbocharged powerplant, MRT skillfully exhaust-balanced the system with a high-performance stainless-steel Max-Flow h-pipe and back half exhaust system using the finest CNC Mandrel bend tube and high-flow components.

The result is a system that delivers enhanced power and truly satisfying performance-car sound. Twenty-inch wheels and tires add a final touch to set off the look and give this Fusion an even smarter, sportier stance. On the inside, a kickin' audio system from Kicker provides the perfect balance of amped-up entertainment.

AC Schnitzer "Alloys Up" the new BMW X1 Compact SUV

It won't be long before AC Scnitzer goes all crazy on the Bavarian automaker's new X1 with numerous mechanical upgrades and styling accessories, but for the time being, the seasoned BMW tuner has presented three new sets of alloy wheels for the compact-sized SUV/crossover. Depending on the design they choose, buyers can opt for 18-, 19- or 20-inch versions of the alloy wheels. Hit the break for the complete photo gallery.

AVUS Performance Launches 450HP Audi TT RS "Ur Quattro"

Named after the legendary, original Audi Quattro coupe of the late 1980s, AVUS Performance's take on the new TT RS Coupe sees the car's 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five receive a 110 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque bump thanks to the modified turbo, reprogrammed ECU and a new exhaust system. This brings the five-cylinder engine's output to a total of 450HP and 472 lb-ft. Avus did not disclose prices for the engine mods.

The German tuners says that acceleration from zero to 60 mph (96km/h) is trimmed from Audi's 4.6-second claim for the stock TT RS to 3.8 seconds on the TT RS "Ur Quattro" while top speed is increased from 174mph (280km/h) to 194mph (312 km/h).

Avus also modified the coupe's suspension with adjustable coil-over shocks (priced at €1,299) that lower the ride height and help the RS handle the corners.

The TT-RS' exterior has been upgraded with a flat-black finish (vinyl wrap) that costs €1,999 and a set of 20-inch Sportec Mono alloy wheels in a glossy black finish shod in 255/30/20 Hankook S1 Evo tires priced at €6,400 but only until December 15, as Avus currently offers a 25 per cent discount on the tire/alloy combos.

Buyers can also opt for a pair of Recaro bucket seats and various accessories for the interior.

2010 Opel Meriva MPV First Photographs - Snapped Completely Undisguised

Just last week, we brought you a set of photos showing the new Opel Meriva small MPV with its rear-hinged back doors wide open. Now this time, our man with the long lens has really outdone himself snagging a 2010 Meriva test car without a single trace of camouflage! These new pictures give us our best look at the five-seater minivan that's clearly inspired by the 2008 Meriva concept while sharing many styling cues with both the Insignia and the new Astra hatchback.

Aside from suicide rear doors with the front-mounted handles that are said to open to a 90-degree angle to the body, another distinguishing feature of the new Meriva is its unusual glasshouse design that incorporates a downward kink at the back doors just behind the B-pillar.

Although we don't have any photos of the Meriva's front end, previous spy shots suggest a similar treatment to the latest Astra with wing-shaped headlights and Opel's family grille.

In other aspects, the new Meriva will be slightly longer than the current model while engine choices at launch will include 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline units with outputs of 100HP and 115HP respectively as well as GM's new 140HP 1.4-liter turbo. The diesel lineup will most likely comprise of 1.3-liter, 1.7-liter and 2.0-liter CDTIs.

Designed to compete against small MPVs like the Citroen C3 Picasso and Kia Venga, the Opel / Vauxhall Meriva is expected to make its world premiere at next March's Geneva Salon with European sales following shortly after.