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Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossovers/CUVs, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows

Mazda announced today that it will debut a new compact crossover concept at this year’s Moscow International Automobile Salan that incorporates the brand’s Nagare design language into a more functional form. While not yet officially named, the crossover concept is said to express the design theme of “crosswinds” and is being developed specifically for the Russian market. SUVs are still popular in Russia and the market for new cars has grown large enough there to warrant the specific attention of automakers. The Moscow Motor Show will take place in late August at which time we’ll get to see Mazda’s Russian crossover concept, and we’re told an official name will be announced in due course. Check out a few more pics in the gallery below to see if this concept is as impressive as Mazda’s previous Nagare concepts, including the Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki and Furai.

Mazda Compact Crossover SUV Concept (Moscow)

Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows

The 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon is right around the corner and despite rumblings that Mazda isn’t considering making a ‘Speed version of the Atenza/Mazda6, it’s trotting out a concept to Japan’s premier tuner expo to gauge consumer interest.

What’s being dubbed the “Mazda Atenza Mazdaspeed Concept” found its way onto the Web, but information about the body kit-equipped concept is sorely lacking. We know it’ll be coming to the show with new front and rear bumpers and some mild aero modifications, along with new side skirts, a lower ride height and a set of 18-inch 10-spoke wheels. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess as to what’s powering the new 6 and how that power is finding its way down to the road.

Regardless, we’ve been able to source a couple of good photos of the concept and are hoping to have more information about all of Mazda’s concepts bound for 2008 TAS soon.

[Source: Autocar]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Hybrids/Alternative, Wagons/Estates, Audi

Abt’s AS6 Avant.

When we envision the most quintessential European conveyance we normally imagine something diesel-powered with a hatch. The Audi A6 Avant springs to mind immediately, but with only 233 HP and 332 lb.-ft. of torque on tap, it could hardly be defined as sporty. Enter Abt.

The German tuner has done something remarkable to Audi’s mid-sized people mover, modifying the turbo on the three-liter TDI and reprogramming the stock ECU to create 300 HP and 443 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s 100 HP per liter… from a diesel.

While performance remains relatively unremarkable, with a run to 60 taking a somewhat leisurely 6.9 seconds, we can only imagine the wave of torque that lucky owners will get to experience on the way to taking their collie to the dog park.

Included in Abt Sportline’s package is a new front spoiler, rear diffuser and side skirts, along with upgrade brakes, an adjustable suspension and Abt’s customer AR20 alloy wheels.

It’s a sweet piece of kit that we’re hoping we’ll have access to soon, as Audi plans on bringing more diesel-powered vehicles Stateside in the next few years.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Euro, Supercars, Porsche

 Gemballa Mirage GT glitter car

Those with oodles of disposable income may be shopping Gemballa’s website for a Mirage GT, the German tuner’s customization package for the already rarified Porsche Carrera GT. The company recently released pics of this particular Mirage GT to show off how every single one of the 25 scheduled to be converted are completely unique. This one is credited to an unnamed soccer player, who probably won’t remain nameless too long after he takes this sparkly sports car out in public (even the wheels have glitter!).

The Gemballa Mirage GT boasts 652 HP, 40 more than the standard Porsche Carrera GT, as well as an aero package that completely transforms the car’s appearance. For the amount owners are asked to fork over for just the conversion itself, their Carrera GT had better be an almost all-new car. The Gemballa Mirage GT conversion costs €229,800 or $324,385 USD, and that’s not including the cost of the doner Porsche Carrera GT. There are a good number of supercars you could buy with that kind of money, but we doubt Ferrari would ever deliver a 599 that sparkled in the sun.

[Source: Gemballa via Motor Authority]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Frankfurt Auto Show, Tuners, Sports/GTs, Mercedes Benz

Carlsson Aigner CK65 Eau Rouge.

Random Benz tunage? Frankfurt’s got more than you can shake a schnitzel at. But the only reason we snapped off a few shots of this particular CK was because of its two-tone hue, even though it is a subtle rip on the Veyron. Only after we got back and started going through some of our overlooked photos did we realized that this particular M-B was something a bit more special.

The Carlsson Aigner CK65 Eau Rouge is the product of a collaborative effort between the German tuning house and Etienne Aigner, a high-end leather purveyor. As you can imagine, the interior appointments are luxurious to a fault, with acres of dyed dead cow, Alcantara and wood lining every conceivable surface. What lies beneath though is far more compelling.

A turbocharged V12, aided by everything from new intercoolers to some heavy ECU tuning, produces over 700 HP and 800 lb.-ft. of torque, making the CL capable of a blast to 60 in 3.9 seconds. Ultra-light aluminum wheels, sized 21×9-inches in front and 21×10.5-inches in the rear, are wrapped in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ZR 21 tires, reducing unsprung mass by a full 50-percent at all four corners.

There are more mods than we can mention, so Carlsson’s press release is posted after the jump. And you can check out a gallery of live and press pics below.