the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

There have been countless efforts to replicate the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor from the 2000 blockbuster movie "Gone in 60 Seconds" with Nicolas Cage. We've seen Eleanor replicas based on everything ranging from a Toyota MR2 to even -the most ridiculous of all- a Smart Fortwo.

At this year's edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon, the students from Saitama University's automotive course presented their take on the Eleanor Shelby GT500 using a fourth generation (1993-2002) Toyota Supra sports coupe as a base.

The replica, which is called "Moto Supra", maintains the Supra's six-cylinder powerhouse, though it's not clear if the students performed any upgrades on the sport coupe's hardware. More photos after the jump.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron

the week revolves around the 2011 BMW 3 Series Coupe

With every new model launched or redesigned, comes another photos comparison. the week revolves around the 2011 BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible LCI that was unveiled yesterday and which will go on sales this Spring.

Judging by the photos and information released, the general consensus is that BMW is looking to align some of its models to the current design language, and features like “angel eyes” are starting to become standard across the line-up. LED taillights are also becoming the norm at BMW and the new 3 Series LCI comes to emphasize that.

Exterior:

Regarding the exterior of the car – BMW, like they did with the pre-LCI E92, have managed to make the E92 continue to look much more expensive than it actually is. The facelifted E92 continues to give a strong balance between prestige and performance purely in appearance alone.

Additionally, at front and rear, while the revisions appear minimal, the proof is in the details. At the business end of the 3 Series Coupe, the head lamps have grown slightly with added contours to the bottom line of the head lamp assembly. A thin “eyebrow” can now be found running along the top of each assembly which is lit by LEDs – a design cue taken straight from the E90 LCI, F01 7 Series and F10 5 Series.

Dropping just below the head lamps, the lower bumper is the most heavily modified part of the E92 LCI, losing the struts that flowed with the cut lines of the nose of the car. In its place, BMW have added a slim cut straight across the center of the lower grill, only being broken up by the area just below the larger, wider double kidney grill. Overall, the appearance of the E92 LCI now looks more succinct with the rest of the now more modern BMW line-up.

Moving to the rear of the car, the lower portion of the bumper receives a larger, purposeful crease along the valence just above the exhaust. The L-shaped tail lamps also receive a mild facelift with a more opaque cover to the LEDs when compared to the pre-LCI E92.

Additionally, the pattern of the rear lamp LEDs has two stacked sets of LEDs to provide better visibility at night while also providing a distinctly BMW look. By comparison, the LCI E92 now looks much brighter and contoured over its predecessor.

The side design goes through some changes as well, the E92 LCI features longer overhangs and subtle changes to the side skirts, giving the facelift an overall more aggressive, masculine look.



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Like the SMS 460 Mustang, the 620 Camaro is currently only in illustrated form

2010 SMS 620 Camaro - Click above for high-res image

Steve Saleen is continuing his foray into building specialty cars other than Mustangs, and after launching the production of its 570 and 570X Challenger last year, his new company, SMS Supercars, has started the new year off right by releasing the first images of the upcoming 620 Camaro.

Using the SS model with the 6.2-liter V8 as a starting platform, the SMS 620 Camaro features much of the same design elements as the Challenger including the side induction hood, five-spoke wheels, and Alcantara and leather seats. Power is increased via an SMS supercharger system that boosts the LS3 V8 to 575 horsepower and 600 pound-feet torque. Like the Challenger, an "X" model is also available that includes additional engine modifications good for 715 hp and 700 lb-ft torque as well as upgraded suspension, brakes, differential, and wheels.

Like the SMS 460 Mustang, the 620 Camaro is currently only in illustrated form, but the production version should be ready sometime in the second quarter of 2010. You can find full details in the press release after the jump.

2010 SMS 620 Camaro

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GMC Granite

GMC Granite Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

As one of the four remaining brands at the new General Motors, the folks in charge of GMC are trying to come up with a reason for the brand to exist. Until now, GMC's wares have been to Chevrolet trucks what Mercury has been Ford – same stuff different badges. Over the last decade the marketing boffins have tried to position GMC as "Industrial Grade," but it's never been entirely clear exactly what that means.

As a general rule, GMC doesn't produce concept vehicles, but at this year's Detroit Auto Show that's set to change. The GMC Granite is being badged as an "urban utility vehicle," a compact crossover that could slot in below the Terrain and give the brand something relatively unique. GM hasn't divulged what platform underpins the Granite, but it's likely to share many parts with GM's global compact (Delta II) architecture. That means this Granite will have a lot in common with the upcoming Chevy Orlando, but with a five-inch shorter wheelbase and a few other unique attributes you can read about after the jump.

GMC Granite Concept

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Every carmaker has seen Ford's success in promoting its Sync technology

Every carmaker has seen Ford's success in promoting its Sync technology, and they want a piece of that pie - as do many suppliers. Sync is built on top of a Microsoft-developed software platform and after a couple of years of Ford exclusivity, Kia just announced a similar system called Uvo. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, Continental announced its own competing platform for in-car connectivity called Autolinq.

While Microsoft's in-car operating system is completely proprietary, Continental's system is based on the Google's open-source Android OS. Android's popularity is on the rise thanks to cell phones like the new Nexus One and the Motorola Droid. Continental hopes to leverage that community of software developers to create applications that can be downloaded directly to the car. This roughly mirrors Ford's recent announcement that developers will be able to create apps for Sync.

Continental plans to release a software development kit for Autolinq by the end of March, and have applications to demonstrate in the second half of this year. So far, there's no word on any automakers adopting Autolinq for their vehicles.

Tesla Model S in motion

Tesla Model S – Click above for high-res image gallery

Jason Calacanis, CEO of Mahalo.com and erstwhile founder of Weblogs Inc. (of which Autoblog and AutoblogGreen are a part) is a big fan of Tesla, and now he's announced that he's giving one away. Calacanis is already the owner of an early Tesla Roadster which he let us drive in late 2008. Even before he took delivery of his Roadster, Calacanis announced his intention to buy the company's second vehicle, the Model S. When Tesla unveiled the sedan last spring, Calacanis made good on his promise and put down deposits on two of the upcoming electric car, including serial #1.

Now Calacanis wants to give away his second Model S by getting his newly established Twitter account @auto to number 1 on the micro-blogging service. That position is currently held by actor and cougar-catcher Ashton Kutcher who has over 4.2 million followers. As this is written, @auto is up to almost 1,000 followers after only one hour. If you want a crack at a free Model S, just follow @auto.

Tesla Model S in motion

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new edition of their Razor GTR based on Audi R8

At this year’s Dubai Motor Show Audi tuner PPI Automotive Design revealed a new edition of their Razor GTR based on Audi R8, in which every panel of the body is made of unpainted carbon fiber , just like Mansory’s Aston Martin Cyrus. This feature alone is super cool, and now with the Razor Widebody kit, it’s just outstanding.

Razor’s kit includes a new front bumper, front spoiler, front bonnet, front fenders, sideskirts, sideblades (or as PPI now calls them, Aeroblades), rear fenders, rear bumper, rear diffuser, rear spoiler, and a new rear engine cover with air channels that can be fitted with a Polycarbonate, scratch-resistant and UV coated glass in solid or slotted form. The best thing about is that due to use of carbon fiber and other lightweight materials, the car becomes much lighter (250 Kg) than the standard R8.

PPI also offers various performance upgrades for both V8 and V10 models. As for the V8s, there are two stages which add either 40 or 200 hp. And for the V10 engine, they can increase 60 or 80hp in stage 1 and 2, but there’s also a stage 3 in which they have no boundaries and will extract as much horsepower as you want out of that engine!

The most powerful variant can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of over 323 km/h.

They also offer a bespoke package for the interior. You get very fine black leather upholstery with sport seats, sport steering wheel and lots of carbon fiber on hand-brake lever, door sill protectors, driver and radio console surround, door trim, center console inserts, kneepad trim.

The car also comes with with 9 x 19 and 11 x 20 forged aluminum wheels, with 265/35 19, and 335/30 20 Michelin Pilot Sport 2, but you may as well order special carbon fiber wheels (9 x 19″ and 12 x 20″) which are custom-tailed to drivers driving-style!

Konigseder’s new kit for Audi S5 Coupe proves

Konigseder’s new kit for Audi S5 Coupe proves that you can improve on perfection! The S5’s discrete and classy body is now sporty and aggressive as well thanks to the tuner’s modified new bumper,sport wheels and new exhaust with those magnificent tailpipes. The only criticism is the side skirts which are unnecessarily big!

Audi S5 has also received a new set of exhaust system from Konigseder which improves its V8 rumble (well if you buy the V8 model! which you should). And there a pair of twin tailpipes which again, are quite big, but kinda cool.

The tuner has also considered the S5’s handling and enhanced it by using new suspension components which lower the ride height. Alternatively you can choose the H&R adjustable system. That is capable of lowering the car for 60mm!

The car also comes with Brembo braking package with bid discs and 6-piston calipers. These discs are nicely placed inside the new 20-inch Competec C01 wheels. These 10-spoke rims come in a matte black finish and are wrapped in 245/30 tires at front 285/25 for the rear.