Auto For Speed

Since 2008, Mercedes-Benz has been producing a special edition version of the SL65 AMG called the Black Series that comes with a fixed carbon fiber roof, a wide body kit, an upgraded V12 and numerous other performance and styling enhancements. If you happen to like the look of the Black Series but prefer to keep the retractable hardtop of the standard SL65 AMG, you may want to check out Inden Design’s latest tuning package.

The transformation begins on the outside with a new wide body kit that emulates the look of the SL65 AMG Black series with heavily beefed up wheel arches, new front and rear bumpers, boot lid spoiler, side skirts, and a new hood with twin air vents. The blacked out grille and 20-inch alloys shod in tires size 265/30 up front and 325/25 at the rear round off the changes.

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As the British division of Alfa Romeo gets ready to make the revised MiTo range available this May, pricing details have been released, along with several other details. The range has been streamlined from 17 versions to 9, with both Turismo and Lusso trim levels being replaced by the Sprint.

In addition, entry level versions are now known as Progression, and Distinctive and Quadrifoglio Verde versions replace Veloce and Cloverleaf.

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Chevrolet will improve the Corvette’s performance capabilities with a series of enhancements for the 2012 model year aimed at offering better on-track performance and on-road comfort. The subtle performance improvements concern the Z06 and ZR1 models, while the rest of the Corvette lineup receives modest interior and equipment updates.

New for the 2012MY are the optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires, which are available for the 505HP Z06 and the supercharged 638HP ZR1 models. These competition-oriented tires promise to increase cornering and handling capability during warm, dry conditions. Combined with the Performance Traction Management (PTM) technology, the Michelins are said to offer an 8-percent gain in maximum lateral acceleration (more than 1.1 g) and shorter braking distances.

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It’s a race car with a huge wing on the back and a cool-looking body, which we like, but it also has an electric motor, which we don’t like so much. This is a car we were very conflicted about, until we saw this very video that changed our minds: the Nissan Leaf NISMO RC is very cool, electric motor and all.

“Combining the talents of NISMO, Nissan’s world renowned motorsports group, and engineers behind some of the company’s Super GT and FIA GT1 race teams, the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC will serve as a rolling laboratory for the accelerated development of EV and aerodynamic systems, as well as a platform for the development of new green motorsports series,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas.

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For the 2012 model year, Chevrolet offers the Camaro with a host of improvements to celebrate the iconic pony car’s 45th anniversary. The 3.6-liter V6 engine has been upgraded to develop 323 horsepower at 6,800 rpm, an increase of 11 horsepower over the 2011 engine while fuel consumption remains at 30 mpg (7.84 l/100 km) on the highway.

The revised engine is 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg) lighter and benefits from a thorough rework, including new cylinder head design, larger intake valves, new fuel pump and optimized-flow fuel injectors, among other changes.

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