Rides : Check Out This Batman-Themed Kia Optima

Could Batman be trading in the Tumbler and his collection of Lamborghinis for a sensible Kia Optima? Not likely, but that hasn’t stopped Kia from collaborating with DC Entertainment and Rides to create a Batman-inspired Kia Optima SX Limited Batmobile for charity.

Based on the new top-trim turbocharged Optima SX Limited, this slammed Optima sits on 20-inch five-spoke black wheels with the Batman logo imbedded on the center caps. The Optima then gets big Ksport brakes, a ground effects kit, yellow underglow, and a matte-black paint job with a piano-black Batman logo splayed out over the front door and quarter panel. The Optima Batmobile is finished off with a sport exhaust system, and a custom front grille shaped like the batwing that Kia says took over 40 hours to create.
Inside, the Optima Limited’s Nappa leather has been replaced for yellow-accented black leather and suede. Each seat is upgraded with a batman logo on the seatback. Throwing stars can also be found mounted in the center console, and Kia says the Bat suit fits perfectly in the trunk.

The Kia Optima SX Limited Batmobile was created for DC’s “We Can Be Heroes” campaign, which is a charity that fights hunger in the Horn of Africa. Kia says that this Optima, which goes on display at the Time Warner Center in New York starting this week, is the first in a series of eight Kias that pay tribute to the Justice League.
Source: Kia

Credit : MotorTrend

Rides : VW Golf GTI by Schmidt Revolution

The German aftermarket specialists at Schmidt Revolution have taken on a new project based on the Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5.

Even if this isn’t actually the newest generation of the Volkswagen Golf, the Mk5 is proving once again that it still has a word to say to petrol heads and this latest upgrade package is making the vehicle even more irresistible. According to the German tuners at Schmidt Revolution, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is coming with a sport tuned suspension, an original R32 rear bumper, a dual exhaust system, 19 inch wheels wrapped in Marangoni tires and a Kenwood navigation system.

“The fifth series of Volkswagen Golf comes in the showrooms in the autumn of 2003, however, it has been formed in the course of only five years just to be replaced by its successor Golf VI. A year later, in 2004, the VW makes an addition to its collection and presents the Golf V in the GTI version. Under the slogan myth GTI it should join the first generation, the original GTI. Various details inside and out - e.g. a special radiator grille with honeycomb mesh and red trim, black side skirts, plaid seats, aluminum inserts, and private Tacho design - are ‘taken over” plainly’, as the automaker says in the official press release.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5 made by Schmidt Revolution is being powered by the 2.0 liter TFSI engine which has been equipped with an optimized ECU and a modified air intake, allowing the unit to develop a total output of 271 horsepower which is 74 HP more than the standard model.

Rides : Jeep Wrangler Military Edition by Project Kahn

The British aftermarket specialists at Project Kahn have taken on the Jeep Wrangler, releasing an upgrade kit which has been named the Military Edition.

After the North American based automaker Jeep has released several special editions of the Wrangler, named the Sahara or Arctic, the aftermarket specialists at Project Kahn have decided to continue this pattern and so the Jeep Wrangler Military Edition was born. Project Kahn is mostly known for modifying SUVs and the work of the British tuners is mostly appreciated by wealthy people so their latest project, the Jeep Wrangler Military Edition will definitely be a success.
According to Project Kahn, the Jeep Wrangler Military Edition is painted in Military Gray Metallic paint and the vehicle has been fitted with a set of quad exhaust tips, giving it a sportier look. Tuning a vehicle these days doesn’t mean anything unless you are offering big rims and the British aftermarket specialists have fitted the Jeep Wrangler Military Edition with a fresh set of Kahn RS 20 inch wheels which can be painted in Silver Black. LED daytime running lights are also offered for the SUV and they have been fitted between the bumper and wheel arches.
Project Kahn is offering a touch of exclusivity to the interior too, where some red leather, aluminum pedals and a new speedometer have also been added. The Military Edition has been priced at 35.875 GBP.

Rides : Check Out The Ferrari 599 by Anderson Germany

The German aftermarket specialists at Anderson Germany have released an upgrade package for the Ferrari 599, which will make the Italian supercar even more appealing.

As you can see from the images below, the Ferrari 599 has been repainted in glossy Black Diamant Metallic and it comes with carbon fiber made front bumper lower lip spoiler, side skirts, rear bumper with diffuser and mirrors. Glossy black racing stripes have also been added to the vehicle which is now sitting on black tri-spoke with red trimmings 9×21 and 12.21 rims, wrapped in 245/30R21 tires, with size 345/24R21 also available.
The tuners at Anderson Germany say that Ferrari 599 is being powered by the same 6.0 liter V12 engine but thanks to some ECU optimization and a two stage sound controlled exhaust system, the unit is now developing a total output of 664 horsepower, compared to the standard 612 horsepower. The aftermarket specialists are saying that the Ferrari 599 can now accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just over three seconds before it can hit its maximum top speed, which is over 300 km/h (186 mph).
The interior design hasn’t been left aside either by Anderson Germany and the Ferrari 599 is now coming with black carbon leather combined with red perforated leather plus diamond shaped stitching on the seat and carbon made center console, door sills, window lifters, door handles and gear shift.

Rides : Porsche Panamera by Hamann Motorsport

The German aftermarket specialists at Hamann Motorsport have decided to upgrade the luxurious Porsche Panamera and transform it into an aggressive machine thanks to the new body kit and a power boost.

After debuting at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Porsche Panamera is once again stepping into the spotlights this time thanks to Hamann, after the German tuner fitted it with a new body kit and giving it a power boost. According to Hamann, the Porsche’s fenders have been widened by 2.4 inches so the new 22 inch alloy wheels could fit. The tuner applied a new hood and a front fascia with giant air inlets set to reduce aerodynamic lift and improve engine cooling. New side skirts, a massive rear wing and a large rear diffuser have also been fitted to help improve the luxurious Panamera’s aerodynamic properties and visual appeal.
Besides the visual upgrade, the Porsche Panamera now has lowering springs which drop the vehicle’s height by 1.2 inches and thanks to the new exhaust system and remapped ECU, the engine is now developing 80 horsepower and 89 lb-ft of torque more than the standard model. Leather upholstery, Hamann aluminum pedals, Alcantara and other things have been introduced to the interior to turn it into a Five-Star VIP Lounge.

Rides : 2011 Honda Accord Coupe V6 Concept goes supercharged

Honda showed off a gaggle of wild concepts for SEMA 2011, but the most interesting of the bunch may very well be a demure 2011 Accord Coupe V6. The two-door has been worked over by the go-fast fiends at Honda Factory Performance and boasts a range of bolt-on goodies that include a HFP suspension and body kit. More importantly, the Accord Coupe V6 Concept is laden with a smattering of prototype engine components. Engineers crafted a prototype supercharger, intake and exhaust systems just for the vehicle, and the end result is a very respectable 335 horsepower 285 pound-feet of torque.

Those figures mark an increase of 64 ponies and 34 lb-ft of twist over the stock 3.5-liter V6, which should do plenty to make the Accord a more interesting piece of metal. Right now, Honda says that the concept was built purely to gauge public interest and determine whether or not Accord Coupe buyers would actually be interested in a hotter version of the vehicle. We say extra horsepower is always a good thing, especially when it comes with a factory warranty.