BMW M5 (F10) '2014

'Satin speed'

Everybody knows how the new M5 looks so let's concentrate on the details instead of cool picture angles. Source: bmwblog.com

The great M5 turned 30 this year, meaning that I have been growing up almost my entire life with these magnificent pieces around ;) Maybe, that's the reason why I'm so in love with the car that also gives inspiration for keeping this blog. Can't help it, there's something absorbing in the cars that look like a family carriers, but can embrace some proper sport cars. Now it's a time for special edition, actually there hasn't been that many previously. E34 had few (e.g. Winkelhock) and E39 editions were some really light cosmetic edition, please correct me if I'm wrong. 

Exterior details. Source: livedrivelife.com

As always M5's comes with a luxury goodie list is respectable including (addition to standard model): Adaptive LED Headlights, Comfort Access with smart-opener, Competition package, Driving Assistant, Headlining, Anthracite Alcantara, Instrument panel upper and lower sections, Nappa leather, Harman/Kardon -loudspeaker system, Lumbar support ( for both driver and front passenger), M Sport multi-function seats (front), and Split-folding rear seat with additional 12 volt rear power socket. Of course you add some extra goodies, like if Harman/Kardon plays your tunes somewhat vaguely you can update to B&O advanced audio system or have M carbon ceramic brakes that costs a fortune, or how about carbon fibre covered titanium exhaust system! This extravaganza lightweight sport exhaust is developed together with Akrapovic, does just perfect justice for the Twin Power Turbo V8 sound. If that's not enough four tailpipes can be updated from 92mm to 95mm tailpipe finishers in carbon-fibre and the whole system costs only £6,890!!!

Some interior details. Source: livelifedrive.com

I have been arguing before that F10 is somewhat too large to ever appeal me in big time. The current model is huge and majority of the massive appearance comes from massive height of the doors and rear panels. Compare the old models (except the previous) and you will find out what I'm talking about. Don't get me wrong, I do like the design, but it's just too perfect: masses are in perfect harmony and details in great balance, but the 'odd' thing that makes great to magnificent and unique is missing. Same posses to M5 and especially to this SE, additional special details are just not enough special or distinguished from others like. Having all the stichings and finishers reminding you that you are driving  '30 Jahre M5' limited series are not enough from my point of view. Having an titanium Akrapovic exhaust as an option, alcantara steering wheel, and satin paint are really neat touches, but don't give uniqueness for the edition that it deserves. For example, think about the Porsche specials, like GT RS3 or latest 911 anniversary editions, in those you can spot the difference to standard models without being petrol head.

Spot the design development from agile to fatty :) Source: BMWblog.com

In details (mods to original):

Engine 
- V8,4395cc, 32-valve, Twin-turbo
Numbers
- 600hp/
- 700Nm/
- 0-100Km/h: 3,9s  
Transmission
- Auto 7 with sequential mode, RWD (limited slip dif)  
Chassis
- 20" M Double-spoke style (601M)
- Ventilated disks (400/396mm), 6- piston clibers fromt and 1- piston rear  
Exterior
- Side gills with '30 Jahre M5' designation
- Dark Chrome tailpipes, side gills, kidney grille and door handle inserts
- BMW Individual Frozen Dark Silver metallic paintwork
Interior
- Interior trim, Dark Aluminium Trace with Dark Chrome finisher, '30 Jahre M5' and '1/300' designation
- '30 Jahre M5' stitching on front and rear seats
- Anthracite Alcantara centre console, arm rests and door pulls
- BMW Individual Black Alcantara / Full Merino leather upholstery
- Door sill finishers with '30 Jahre M5' designation
- M Sport Anthracite Alcantara multifunction steering wheel with gearshift paddles
Other
- Limited number of 300 pieces made and 30 delivered to States
- Optional: e.g. titanium Akrapovic -exhaust system, carbon exhaust tips, Competition package (7MA), comfort access sytem (322), and ceramic brakes.

Saab 9-3 Viggen '1999-2002

'Thunderbolt'

Source: doublejslist.com

It has been a while since writing anything to this space. Well many things happening, for example moved to Netherlands. Which is the main reason of writing the folowing report. The amount of Saab's is crazy over here. Dunno, how is the situation in Sweden or States, but the Saab 900/9-3 cabrio ratio to other cars (not only cabrios) here is significant and I'm loving it. In my opinion Saab 900/9-3 is one of the coolest cars; can't really come up with any other car that has such a timeless design that is at the same time little weird, different from other's, and sporty, yet practical with a huge trunk.

Naturally in a name of Wolf Cars, this writing considers Viggen -the hottest model named after a fighter jet!

Cabrio version. Source: doublejslist.com

The original car was launched in 1998 and it looked pretty much as the previous 900, that has to do with the fact that it was based on the old model and only 1100 components were changed or improved. Viggen was the first fruit of Saab's SVO (Special Vehicle Operation) program in collaboration with TWR. 

 Viggen was also produced in 5 door version. Source: autogaleria.hu

Two-tone leather and center placed ignition -sweet! Source: uwwica.com

In 1999 the Viffed hitted the showrooms with a new B235R -engine having 14% higher volumetric efficiency than a Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6! The powerplant produces 230hp and Nm from 2.3 litres four cylinder with a help of turbo and intercooler. Same engine was used later in 9-5 Aero. Well, Saab is famous about it's FWD, thus the car torquesteers like a mother fucker.TWR tweaked the chassis as much as they could, but I quess with such a old design (originally from 70's) there wasn't real solutions to solve power delivery problems.
Addition to power increase and chassis tweaking the exterior and interior got some final touches to compete with it's well known German enemies. Well, it wasn't really sale success, but makes a really unique option for M3 or C AMG with it's hooligan FWD nature. We used to have Saab's in family when I practiced driving and this exceptional brand will always have a place in my heart.

BTW, Wiggen means thunderbolt in Swedish. 

In details:

Engine 
- R4, 2290cc, 16-valve, Turbo 'B235R'
- 9.3:1 compression ratio
- Custom "Trionic-7" fuel-injection system and direct-ignition  - Large oil and water-cooled turbocharger
- Maximum boost pressure of 1.4 bar,

Numbers
- 225hp/5500rpm (limiter 6300rpm)  
- 342Nm/2500-4000rpm (approx. 122-195hp)
- 0-100Km/h: 6,8s
- 0-400M: 15, 3s
- Top speed 250 Km/h - 1395Kg

Transmission
- 5 speed manual, FWD
- Upgraded clutch assemply
- Larger diameter and stronger driveshafts and strengthened CV joints
Chassis
- Stiffer springs and dampers
- Anti-roll bar in front
- Upgraded steering rack mounts - Ventilated and grooved disks (308mm) front and 287mm (grooved) disks rear - 17x7,5" exclusive 5 spoke alloys with 215/45ZR17 Dunlop tires
Exterior
- Unique bumpers and rear spoiler (reducing aerodynamic drag by 8% to a 0.31 coefficient and reducing lift forces over the rear wheels by 60%)
- Sport exhaust tip
- Exclusive 'Viggen' plates 

    Interior
- Sport seats (by Lear) - Unique two-tone leather interior - Sport steering wheel - Extra gauges
- Custom dashboard
- Exclusive 'Viggen' plates

Other
- Limited colors awailable; blue in 1999, with silver and black added in 2000, other colors like red later
- Less than 3000 Viggens were ever made (including 3D, 5D, and cabrio versions)

Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione Cabrio '1992

'Chop-top'

The original? spotted from traffic. Source: forum.auto.com

There's many good examples of Italian designers getting involved in turning otherwise boring standard cars into something interesting, such as Pinifarina and Peugeot collaborations and most of the Volvo coupes designed by Bertone. Although, Lancia Delta is a nice example of boxy design of it's era and Integrale versions are not boring at all the design of this cabrio version can not be counted on Zagato's master pieces.

From the side it's not the pretties thing. Source: Facebook

Hopefully there was only 2 cabrio Integrale's ever made. Least, other one of the ultimate rare Integrale's was made for special request for the bon vivier, Giovanni Agnelli. Outside of the two door conversion, interesting rear design, and open roof the special version is somewhat standard Delta Integrale EVO. Except the fact that the guy was handicap of the 'avvocato' and therefore the car is equipped with an automatic clutch! Apart from the sacrilege of equiping Integrale with the automatic clutch and ruined design this version must be one of the most desirable of many special edition Integrales existing. Next time you go to Torino check the car out in one of the coolest car collections of  Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile. Additionally, if you fancy have one of your own contact il Cavallino they have produces some replicas.
 

Source: photopucket.com

In details (standard Evo I):

 
Engine  

- R4, 1995cc, 16-valve, Turbo
- Garrett T03 -charger (1,0 bar)
- Intercooler
- Weber-Marelli engine management

 
Numbers
  - 210hp/5750rpm (limiter 6300rpm) - 304Nm/3500rpm - 0-100Km/h: 6,3s (claimed 5,7s) - 0-400M: 14,4s
- 0-1000M: 26, 1s - 100Km/h -0Km/h: 39, 5m - Top speed 219 Km/h
- 1340Kg

 
Transmission
  - 5 speed manual, 4WD
- Torsen rear differential - Epicyclical center differential with 47-53 % F/R torque distribution

 
Chassis
  - Independent McPherson struts lower triangle, coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar in front
- Independent, double transverse arms, longitudinal arm coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar in rear.
- Ventilated disks (28,1 cm) with 4-pot calibers in front and 25,1cm disks with 1-pot calibers rear
- 7x15" alloys with 205/50ZR15 tires

 
Exterior
  - Broaden wheel arches (air vents in front arches)
- Scoop and air vents in hood
- Upgraded pumpers 

 
Interior
  - Bucket seats
- Leather interior
- Sport steering wheel
- Extra gauges

Wolf Escort Cosworth '1994

'In the name of Wolf'

In my A-list there will be always listed many Cosworth creations, i.e. Ford's, MB 190 2.3, RS4 etc. These magnificent wolfcars are finetuned by strongly motorsport oriented company that was founded in 50's by Keith Duckworth and Mike Costin. In my mind the name Cosworth is always linked mostly to certain Escort and Sierra models. Ford owned the company for a while and Cosworth name appears in their rally inspired special models. Although, Sierra was the 'first' Cossie and has one of the most modern looks of it's era, the white-blue and Repsol coloured Escort rally weapons of the 90's are the ones for me. Maybe Mr. Kannkkunen stole my heart back n the days?

Source: passionford.com

This story is about German based Wolf tuning company's (also known as Walter Wolf Racing) tuned Escort Cosworth. Wolf offers various tuning parts for different Ford models and Wolf Escort Cosworth is somewhat a regular model containing various Wolf tuning parts. Although, Wolf Escort is not really an limited series or special edition, like Brabus or Alpina it has gained mystique reputation in Ford forums and as the 'Wolf' appears in the name it needs to be introduced here. Actually, I don't know many Ford tuners, instead some UK based, but none of them offers comprehensive tuning kits or virtually reproduced Fords. Maybe Wolf offers the dopest conversions? Least Wolf uses the same manufacturers with their pits and kits as the Ford to keep quality in proper level and tuning pits are also sold through the Ford dealers. So basically customers are able to choose only some Wolf parts for their cars instead of complete packages. Above I have listed specs of the complete Wolf Esco Cossie.

18" Wolf/ATP wheels and front splitter. Source: rscosworth.it

Wolf rear spoiler (extension) and Remus exhaust. Source: rscosworth.it

In details:

Engine

Wolf steering wheel and gauges. Source: carpics.com

- R4, 1993cc, 16-valve
- Garrett 'T34' Turbo
- Upgraded intercooler
- Wolf ecu
- Siemens injectors
- Upgraded fuel pump
- Upgraded airflow meter
- Wolf exhaust (Remus)
- Wolf engine cover

Numbers
- 300hp/6000rpm
- 458Nm/4000rpm
- 0-100Km/h: 4,6s
- 80-180km/h: 12,5s

Wolf green extra gauges. Source: passionford.com

- Top speed 260Km/h

Transmission
- 6 speed manual, 4WD (Haldex)
- Limited slip differential 

Chassis
- Upgraded suspension (Bilstein/Eibach)
- Wolf front strutbrace
- Ventilated disks front and rear (334/26mm)
- Wolf/ATS 18x8" alloys and 235/40ZR18 tires

Exterior
- Front splitter
- Alloy fuel cap
- Rear spoiler (lower) extension

Interior
- 'Motorsport' labeled interior (similar to Martini models)
- Wolf steering wheel and gear knob
- Wolf speedo up to 300km/h
- Upgraded boost gauge (2 bars)
- Alloy pedals
- Wolf floor mats

Other
- Complete price: 86.500DM (1994)