BMW 320si (E90) '2006

'Hidded Pearl'

Some race heritage here. Source: bmwblog.com.

Bimmer's 3-series has been always great. From the very beginning journalists has been praising the excellent balance between performance and practicality, as well as the styling. Styling is very very Bimmer: outstanding stance, notable character line, short front crossing, and engine placed behind the front wheels. But, 3-series is also the most selling model line, so BMW is very gentle with the styling of new models and 3-series never gets the coolest lines. Same happened with the E90 in 2005 when it was announced, even it was the great era of Bangle, design is kind of BMW boring. I mean Bimmer's are never boring, but if you compare E90 to difference that E36 made to E30, there's nothing so spectacular, and E90 lacks the greatness of E60, E63, or E85.

Source: bmwheaven.com

Source: netcarshow.com

Anyway, BMW uses 3-series in WTCC/BTCC and they made a road going special model to compete with the E90. The heart of this unfamiliar special model is hand built 2 liter, 4 cylinder engine, producing 175hp (in race spec 100hp more!) at 7000rpm! Basically BMW motorsport engineers (then building Sauber F1-engines) have taken everything out of bi-Vanos and greated fast-high revving master piece, covered with carbonfibre cylinder head. Power upgrades are not massive, but check the specs to find out how race spec this beauty is. Other tweaks this road racer has are limited to new gearing, better brakes, extra-large wheel mounts, and M-bodykit. By the way, it blasts the Ring under 9-minutes -not bad for naturally aspirated 2 liter middle sized saloon!

In details:

Engine
- R4, ca. 2000cc, 24-valve, Valvetronic, bi-Vanos
- Compression ratio: 11.0:1
- Larger bore by 1mm to 85mm (to regular 2L engine)
- Stroke reduced with 2mm to 88mm
- Special aluminum-alloy liners
- Stiffer crank and connecting rods
- Larger valves
- Special spark blugs
- Valvetronic removed to reduce moving parts
- Radiator from 6-cylinder model
- Carbonfibre cylinder cover (-10kg)

Numbers
- 175hp/7000rpm (limiter in 7300rpm)
- 210Nm
- 0-100Km/h: 8,1s
- 80-120Km/h: 7.7s (4th gear)
- Top speed limited to 225Km/h
- 1350kg

Transmission
- 6 speed manual, RWD
- Shorter final drive (4.10)
 
Chassis
- M-sport suspension
- Ventilated disks front and rear (16 inch)

Exterior
- M-sport aerodynamic package with slightly modified bumpers and side skirts
- '216' alloys with BMW motorsport logo in 18x8/8.5" and 225/40ZR18, 255/35ZR18 tires

Interior
- M-sport seats, steering wheel, and foot rest
- Special rev counter, red zone from 7300rpm up to 8000rpm

Other
- Limited 2600 unit production
- All sport sedans in exclusive Carbon Black Metallic -color

Bad ass! Race model is just little wider and meaner. Andy Priaulx won two WTCC championships with E90. Source: bmwarchiv.de

Saab 9-3 Turbo X '2008

'Darth Vader'

Evil eye. Source: jdpower.com

On the other day I got bored with my Volkswagen's polished functionality and design that's lame enough not to disturb anybody. I'm driving my 6th VW and have owned only one Toyota and Ford in between that makes me a real VAG whore. So, as car change became current I decided ones again look something different, something that has emphasized features, something that makes the car hated or loved, something that makes it stand out. Task seemed to be easy, world is full of different cars, but when affording only one car it has to comply many things and satisfy certain level of practicability and reliability. It's somewhat lame to claim that Dub's design and quality is sophisticated, they drive well enough for daily driver, usually are one of the most affordable cars to insurance and service, usually are reliable enough that no one makes a big noise about it, and have suitable image for every situation, but sometimes these are features that I find people driving with other brands arguing in newer-ending discussions about best cars.

Turbo X SportCombi. Source: saabvereld.net

After browsing several car advertisements Saab started to stand out: it fascinating brand drawing from aeroplanes, represents Scandinavian functionality and it's rare enough that you always found your timelessly designed vehicle from parking lot. Even GM tried to eliminate features that Saab is known and transform it to be premium Opel, it survived to keep odd features like night panel and ignition switch between seats. Additionally there's a rumor that GM bosses ones game to Saab factory to see how it's possible that Saab 9-3 is so much more expencive to manufacture than almost equivalent Opel Vectra and people at Saab told GM guys to break the cars in parts for comparison and GM newer returned to the topic, because Saab was so well built. 

Turbo X SportSedan. Source: pcwalls.net

When writing for Wolf Car blog the standard is always the fastest and rarest model available and in case of 9-3 it's Turbo X that was manufactured in very limited numbers in 2008 in both SportSedan and SportCombi versions. It's the fastest Saab ever and perhaps the meanest with dark colour scheme with black exterior and interior available with matte dark grey detailing. Actually there was about to be even faster Saab in the eighties when Saab's R&D was designing to V8 to be installed into classic 900, sadly this newer happened. Turbo X's celebrate Saab's 30 year history of charging engines in production cars. Actually, I'm still not sure which of the first Turbo cars produced in series is the first: BMW 2002 Turbo, Porsche 930 Turbo or Saab 99 Turbo? Special editions are equipped with the state of the art technology: engine is nominated to Ward's one of the world's 10 best engines in world and all-wheel-drive and electronic slip-differential lock technology was one of the most advanced of that time and Swedish. Usually facelifts are not succesfull, but in 9-3 the year 2008's make-over totally transformed the car from something odd to a classic, even so seen clear tail lights started look cool in Saab. 

Dark interior and unique propeller styled alloy. Source: motivemag.net

So this could be one solution for my need of unique, yet functional family car that can thrill the driver, but how to find myself 9-3 Turbo X SportCombi's, there's none in sale!

In details:

Engine
- V6, 2792cc, 24-valve, Twin-scroll turbo (LP9)
- Compression ratio: 9.5:1
- Intercooler
Numbers
- 280hp/5500rpm (limiter in 6400rpm)
- 400Nm/2150-4500rpm
- 0-100Km/h: 5,7s
- Top speed limited to 250Km/h

Transmission
- 6 speed manual or automatic gearbox, AWD
- Haldex -XWD cross wheel (4WD) drive system, system can deliver minimum of 4% on the rear wheels or much as 85% for the single wheel if needed
- Electronic slip differential lock (eLSD) in rear axle
Chassis
- MacPherson struts, gas shocks, anti-roll bar, and hydroformed sub-frame at front
- Independent 4-link, coil springs, self-leveling shocks, anti-roll bar, sub-frame, and rear-wheel steering system
- Lowered -10mm from Aero model
- Ventilated disks front and rear (345x30mm & 292x20mm)
- Steering ratio: 16.0:1
- Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: 2.97

Exterior
- Re-profiled front bumper and deep front lip spoiler in matte grey titanium
- Re-profiled rear bumper with integrated diffusor in matte grey titanium
- Rear spoiler in both sedan and SportCombi
- Unique 'Turbo X' alloys in 18x7,5" in matte grey titanium and 235/45R18 tires (19" optional alloys) 
- All in 'Metallic Jet Black' colour

Interior
- Black leather interior
- Carbon fibre detailing in fascia, door inserts, glove box, and centre console
- The 'Batwing' multifunctional steeringwheel
- 'Ready to take-off' or driver's name appearing on the display when switching on the ignition

Other
- 2000 units produced
- 600 units sold in U.S and 500 in UK

Volkswagen Polo R '2013

'Street warrior'

New more aggressive front. Source:carsnew.blockspot.fi

Since Golf GTI has become size of a whale Polo has been replacing it as a thrilling pocket rocket of the Volkswagen fleet. The design of the current Polo is really successful when thinking the size of a car -small cars are somewhat more challenging to make look cool. Soon deputing WRC version has such a muscles that makes it one of the greatest rally car design ever! Hope all the best for it, so I can finally have a new hero replacing the old farts like Delta Integrale and Escort Cosworth.

Quite carefull design here at back. Source: carsnew.blockspot.fi

Anyway VW decided to take everything out of its WRC adventure, so this spring they are introducing Polo R. The teaser was already introduced in Wörthersee's VW enthusiastic show and now its confirmed that they gonna build some. Polo R extends the saga of special Polo's that was started with G40 and followed by GTI Cup. Of course VW wants to be the king of the hill so hope they do things as properly as it sounds in paper and Polo's wolf version doesn't remain just a make up. Not so many details are leaked, but here's some that I was able to find...

Polo WRC -evil as it comes! Source: bimmerboost.com

In details

Engine

R4, 1984cc, 16-valve, TSI, Turbo (EA888?)

BorgWarner 'K03' water-cooled turbocharger

Intercooler

Numbers

220hp

320Nm

0-100Km/h: 6,4s

Top speed 243Km/h

Transmission

6-speed manual, FWD

Chassis

18" Cagliari alloys with 215/35R18 tires

Exterior

Aggressive front bumper

Side skirts

Black mirrors

Rear spoiler in black

Rear diffusor

Blue brake calibers

Some stupid graphics

Interior

Alcantara steering wheel with 'Aaltonen's stripe'

Racing seats

WRC specific trim

Blue stitches

R-style blue dials

Alloy pedals

Other
2500 cars are planned to be produced

Citroen CX 25 GTI Turbo ´1984-1989

'Big cat'

There's a small place in my heart for the big Citroen's. The Kamm tail 5-door design adds a pinch of drama for the scene when appearing and very few other car have reached similar feline essence. CX (meaning 'Cd' drag coefficient in French) was introduced in 1974 to replace the avant gardist automobile of them all -DS. Around 1,2 million CX's were produced during the long producing period until 1991. The Turbo models came into the picture in 1984. CX Turbo is not the brettiest of big cats or not even the fastest, but matches the Wolf car values with its slight hooligan attitude and as well it was even compared to M535i in time.

Source: Flickr/Rich007

Bimmer is almost overshadowed by the feline lines. Source: Flickr/azu250

Technically CX was a state of the art combining hydro-pneumatic integral self-leveling suspension, speed adjustable power steering and originally designed even for the rotary engine! Praised and astonished suspension that moderates bumpy roads, offers adventurous driving experience and enables car to sit on its belly has peen licensed for the Rolls-Royce. 

Daddy of the low riders! Source: motor-classic.de

Series 1 and 2 are easily recognized by the more aggressive plastic bumpers of the series 2. Basically Turbo models are similar to basic GTI models (138hp) and only notable difference is the added turbocharger without intercooler. GTI turbo stands for more high speed cruising than cornering that is supported with a comfortable and spacious interior. Some say that CX is the last real Citroen before Peugeot spoiled the thrilling brand :)

In details (1989 model):

Engine

Straight 4, 2500cc, 8-valve, Bosch LE/LU2-Jetronic fuel injection
compression ratio 7,75:1

Garrett ‘T03’ turbo
Numbers
168hp/5000rpm
294Nm/3250rpm
Top speed: 223km/h

0-100km/h: 7,8s

0-400m: 15,7s

0-1000m: 29s
1370kg
Transmission
5 speed manual, FWD
Chassis

Front: equal length wishbones, hydro-pneumatic self-leveling

Rear: trailing arms, hydro-pneumatic self-leveling

Ventilated disks/disks (260/224mm)

Aero 5,5x15” alloys with 210/50VR39TRX tires
Exterior
One piece front bumper with fog lights

Streamlined mirrors

Composite rear wheel aerodynamic covers

Rubber rear spoiler
Twin tip exhaust
Interior

Analogue dials (check above the grazy ones they had before!)

Special GTI/Turbo trim
 

Crazy dials of the first series. Source: Flickr/CitroenAZU

 

BMW Alpina B7 Turbo/1 '1984-1987

Shark nose as its best. Source: forums.mwerks.com

Merry Christmas! As a present here comes the BMW's finest. E28 is already a cool thing with it's perfect shark nose, elegant lines, perfect proportion, and center exit exhaust. In addition it's the backbone of the first M5 -mother of all Wolf cars. First M5 might be the fastest production saloon of it's time, but in the wolf car world of "not always so production cars" Alpina B7 Turbo ate its lunch.

Actually B7 Turbo (based on 535i) was born before M5 already in 1979 and holded the world fastest sedan title with a top speed of 163.9mph (263.8Km/h) until 1984. Alpina modifications include lighter Mahle pistons, a modifeid cylinder head, 264 degree cam, and KKK -turbo with intercooler with adjustable boost control from the cockpit! Besides the massive power increase the Alpina's are built to handle too with upgraded chassis which was not always the case with modified E28's of the era. Check out this über B7 Turbo project.

 

In details:

 

Treasure from Sweden. Source: unknown

Engine
In-line 6, 3430cc, 20-valve, Bosch Motronic (M106)
compression ratio 9.00:1

KKK “K27” turbo (0,7 bar)
air-to-air intercooler

Alpina modified cylinder-head

Mahle pistons

Alpina camshafts (264)

Alpina exhaust manifold

The boost knob. Source: davintosh.com

Alpina engine bay plaque
Numbers (depends on year, best figures listed here)
320hp/5800rpm
509Nm/3000rpm
Top speed: 260+km/h

0-100km/h: 4,8s!!!

0-160km/h: 12,8s

0-200km/h: approx. 17s

0-400m: 13,4s (168km/h)

0-1km: 24,4s
1410kg

Cd 0,39
Transmission
Getrag ‘265’ 5 speed manual, RWD
Strenghtened differential with pump-driven oil cooler
Chassis

Alpina-Bilstein suspension with progressive springs and gas-pressure dambers

Alpina sway bars

Girling Ventilated disks/disks, 4/1 piston calibers

Alpina 7 and 8x16” alloys with 205/45VR16 (f), 225/50VR16 (r) tires
Exterior
Alpina front spoiler

Alpina rear spoiler

Alpina contour line decoration

Alpina front grill and trunk badges
Interior

Recaro sport seats with Alpina upholstery

Alpina leather 3-spoke steering wheel 360mm

Alpina gear knob

Alpina instruments ->300km/h

Alpina digital boost gauge

Alpina dashboard plaque
Turbo boost selector in center console
Other
Total of 236-278 E28 Alpina B7 Turbo’s was built between 04/1984-12/1987

Tickford Capri '83

'Ultimate 80'

When I was a child our family friends had a golden mk1 Capri that I jused to drool over. It still is a cool car drawing its styling cues from US, extremely long hood, somewhat odd dimensions, rear wheel drive and classy air vents in rear fenders. Somehow Capri always looks extremely British for me. Well, the mk2 wasn't that cool...dimension and characteristics are there, but classy and light impression was totally gone. If the cool cars bad transformation was not enough in the beginning of the 80's, Aston Martin's subsidiary Tickford was offering ultimate kit to convert Capri to little Aston!

This car is almost too 80's! Source: storm.oldcarmanualproject.com

Perhaps the intention was great, when Victor Gauntlett from Aston took the crazy idea of transforming Capri to almost Aston. Aston Martin tweaked the engine by adding turbo, tailored 'luxury' retrim and made minor chassis changes, but the bodykit they added is just awful. "at that time the design side was not valued" -John Miles (chassis development engineer working in a project)

In details

 

Engine

V6, 2972cc, fuel injection

Compression 9.2:1

IHI 'RHB6' turbocharger

Garrett intercooler

Large bore stainless steel exhaust

Transmission

Modified 5-speed manual, RWD

Ford RS -limited slip differential

Numbers

205hp/5000rpm

352Nm/3000rpm

0-100km/h: 6s

Top speed: 225Km/h

1245kg

Drag coefficient lowered from original 0,39 to 0.37 with the bodykit

Chassis

Bilstein dampers 

Additional locating 'A' links rear

Polymer pushes

Upgraded brake pads front and 10.43" rear disks

7x15" alloys with Pirelli 'P7' tires

Exterior

Front air dam and grille blank

Side skirts

Rear spoiler

rear lower valance

Coach finish paint in any sincle plain or metallic colour or special pearlscent white paintwork

Wheels painted in body colour

Interior

Connolly leather interior

Wilton interior and boot carpet

Grey wool headlining

Walnut panels and matching center console

Boost gauge and quartz clock

Other
Electrically operated door mirrors and adjustable rear wiber delay
Digital electronis stereo cassette system
approx. 100 cars were manuafactured

Alfa Romeo 155 TI.Z & GTA.Z '1993-1996

'SuperCorsa'

Alfa's ever cool 8-hole wheel design. Source: italiaauto.net

Alfa 155 and Lancia Delta Integrale has always been my great heroes; these cult cars share one of the most aggressive and race styling, both dominated race tracks and even civil versions are delighted with magical reputation. Somewhat Alfa 155 Q4 is more desirable of the two, because the ultimate  combination: Alfa's impressive styling, racing reputation in DTM and Lancia's heart developed in rally. 

Source: alfa155club.nl

Alfa Romeo 155 TI.Z (International Tourism Zagato) and GTA.Z are very rare and special models of the range topping Q4. Alfa 155 is designed by Ercole Spada (man behind some iconic designs such as BMW E34 & Fiat Tipo) while working in Zagato.  Together with race engineer Giuseppe Bizzarrini guys developed TI.Z and proposed it for the production. Unluckily this aggressive styled masterpiece with performance to match didn't fly and TI.Z/GTA.Z's ended up for a very limited production funded by Luca Zagato himself and bunch of Japanese businessman.

Source: leblogauto.com

In details

Engine
In-line 4, 1995cc, 16 valve, Marelli fuel injection, Turbo
Garrett 'T3' turbocharger
Compression ratio: 8:1
reprogrammed engine management
Zagato's signature in engine cover 
Transmission
5-speed manual, FWD
Central differential (47% front & 53% rear)
Torsen rear differential
Numbers
215hp/5500rpm
313Nm/3500rpm
Top speed: 225Km/h (Q4)
0-100Km/h: 7s (Q4)
0-400m: 15,2s (Q4)
1390kg (Q4)
Bodywork modifications reduce drag from 0,31 to 0,296 
Chassis
Electronically adjustable gas dampers
Uni ball front suspension
Ride height lowered by 34mm
Wider front (from 1.477 to 1.517mm) and rear track (from 1.402 to 1.446mm)
Ventilated disks (284mm) front and disks (240mm) rear, ABS
Steering 2,9 turns lock to lock
O.Z Racing 17x6,5" (f) and 17x7,5" (r) alloys (signed by Zagato)
Pirelli P-Zero 204/45Z17 tires 
Exterior
Flared DTM-style wheel arches made of lightweight composite
Redesigned side arches
Modified rear doors
More aggressively styled front bumber with lager air intakes
Rear bumber with cut-outs for DTM's venture
Boot mounded spoiler
Racing style fuel filler cap
Interior
Leather interior and sport steering wheel 
Other
TI.Z is a one-off prototype  
Z Automobili produced 24 Zagato bodied GTA.Z models based on TI.Z
All GTA.Z models ended originally to Japan markets