They’ve gone and done it; the tuning gurus at Brabus have stuffed a V8 engine in the new GLK SUV. And as though replacing the V6 with a larger and more powerful V8 powerplant weren’t enough, Brabus had to go and modify the entire thing.

Brabus engineers completely rebuilt a 5.5-liter motor (as found in vehicles like the S550) and increased the displacement to 6.1-liters. The modifications involved a larger bore and a longer stroke, with a lighter crankshaft, stronger pistons with a compression ratio of 11.0:1 and a modified cylinder head with larger valves and new cams.

In total the new engine makes 456hp at 6200 rpm and 453 ft-lbs of torque at 3100 rpm. Brabus says the V8 GLK can hit 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 172 mph.

Other modifications on the car include a lowered suspension (1.2-inches), 21-inch Brabus Monoblock F wheels and a big brake upgrade. The new brake system uses six-piston front calipers with 14.2-inch rotors and six-piston rear calipers with 11.8-inch rotors.

Technically, this Brabus GLK is also a Widestar, meaning that it features the Widestar line of aerodynamics, including a new front fascia that reduces lift and, of course, those flared fenders.

GALLERY: Brabus GLK V8

Rear more on the Brabus GLK V8 after the jump:

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We normally rag on the dozes of different SLR models that the Mercedes/McLaren partnership has come out with but this Brabus model is something else.

Based on a SLR roadster, Brabus has done just some mild work under the hood with new camshafts that bring the power output to 650hp at 6500 rpm. This is enough, says Brabus, to let the SLR accelerate to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds. In true Brabus style the SLR has an outrageous top speed – 213 mph to be exact.

Other performance modifications include a self-locking differential.

As for that matte-black body, well, it’s more than just a paint job. This SLR actually features Brabus’s  new front lip, which reduces lift on the front axle.

Also shown on this model are a mean set of black Brabus Monoblock IV wheels, measuring 20×9.5-inches up front and 20×11.5-inches in the rear. The tires are 255/30/20 front and 305/25/20 rear.

Brabus might be most famous for it’s high performance engines, but the company is equally qualified at outfitting a car’s interior. This SLR features a quilted stitched leather floor… yes, floor! The interior also features Brabus’s sport steering wheel and plenty of carbon fiber goodies.

GALLERY: Brabus Mercedes/McLaren SLR

Nissan’s Qazana Concept vehicle may look like a far-from-reality idea, but Nissan has promised that this design study will in some way be a step towards a new crossover vehicle that will be built in the UK in the near future.

To stoke those flames, Alfonso Albaisa, Vice President, Nissan Design Europe, said that, “Qazana is a concept car and was created specifically for the Geneva Motor Show… but it should not be dismissed as a just a design study. It gives a clear direction of how a future small car from Nissan could look.”

Albaisa continued saying, “When it comes to design, Nissan has developed a reputation for constantly delivering something different. The global success of Qashqai has proven that the car buying public is fed up with the conventional… but we are not prepared to sit on our laurels. Qazana might seem a radical solution but important elements of the concept do point to a future Nissan production vehicle.”

The Qazana is in many ways the evolution of the idea that was launched when Nissan first showed the Qashqai SUV. With the popularity of that model, Nissan followed-up with the Qashqai+2. And now the Qazana.

The exterior of the crossover was created by mixing design elements from SUVs and sports cars. It has a tall stance like any SUV would, but it also features short front and rear overhangs and a low roof-line. As for the rear lights, they mimic a design found on the 370Z.

The notably SUV-like wheel arches work to make the car both masculine but also friendly, as they lend a bubbly and fun feel to the SUV. Those wheel arches are a carryover from the Qashqai design concept and also take inspiration from the Murano SUV.

There is no word from Nissan on if the upcoming crossover will be offered in North America.

GALLERY: Nissan Qazana Concept

Official release after the jump:

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Not only did Aston Martin use the Geneva Auto Show to show-off, for the first time, its One-77 supercar; the company also brought along a cut-away model that shows the entire carbon-fiber chassis. And is it ever impressive.

It’s an amazing thing to see a carbon-fiber monocoque on a road car, with the carbon stretching from the roof to the pillars to the cockpit and throughout.

We’ll let the pictures speak for themselves but we do have some new One-77 info to report.

At the press conference it was announced that not only will the Aston Martin supercar make more than 700hp (as previously reported), it will boast 750hp.

It will also weigh just 3,300 lbs., making it a serious performer in every way.

GALLERY: Aston Martin One-77

GALLERY: Aston Martin One-77 Cut-Away

Mansory used the 2009 Geneva Auto Show to not only show off some of the most unique vehicles in the world, but also to introduce its Linea Vinceró line of tuning for Bugattis.

On display was a black, exposed metal and carbon fiber Veyron with the thickest carbon-fiber weave we’ve ever seen.

New LED lights up front as well as a V-shape nose helps give the supercar an even more unique look. The body work extends around the car with a new front splitter, a new rear diffuser and a new rear spoiler. The Veyron even features a new engine cover with larger openings to help keep those four turbochargers cool.

And keeping them at an ideal operating temperature is even harder than before thanks to an increase in power. Yes… more power! The Linea Vinceró Bugatti Veyron boasts 1,109hp and 966 ft-lbs of torque.

GALLERY: Mansory Linea Vinceró Bugatti Veyron

More on the Mansory Linea Vincero Bugatti Veyron after the jump:

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With Mitsubishi all set to launch a production version of the i MieV, the company is already looking to the future. According to the i MieV Sport Air Concept, that future might include mini electric sportscars.

This little teardrop shaped coupe is rear-wheel drive and features a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. And weighing just 2,161 lbs, with the heavy lithium-ion battery back located under the floor, the car is not only light  but has excellent stability due to a low center of gravity.

Also, an electric engine is conducive to a performance car because of the immediate availability of power. Total output is 81hp and 170 ft-lbs of torque. The concept car is also fitted with 17-inch wheels with somewhat low-profile 175/50/17 tires. The wheels are also pushed to the outer limits of the car for optimum stability.

Mitsubishi says that the car is more sporty and aggressively styled than the “cheeky” i MieV. It still looks cute to us though. And by cute, we mean ugly.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi i MieV Sport Air Concept:

Official release after the jump:

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Known as the DISI, the direct-injection turbocharged 2.3-liter engine found in the MazdaSpeed3 is back in the all-new 2010 MazdaSpeed3, but very little has changed. One might even say it’s a DISI-ppointment.

You see, the new MazdaSpeed3 makes exactly the same amount of power with 260 ps (263hp) and 280 ft-lbs of torque.  We were hoping that the new model would see a noticeable increase. It’s not like the MazdaSpeed3 needs it though.

This is enough for a 0-62 mph run of 6.1 seconds, so the run to 60 might be able to get under the 6.0-second mark.

The engine does get some advancements though. For starters, emissions are reduced thanks to a new single-nanotechnology catalytic converter. As well, the 2.3-liter engine gets 0.5 liters/100km (0.1 mpg) better fuel economy. 

In terms of technological advancements, the MAzdaSpeed3 starts to sound less like a disappointment. For starters the new engine geatures an advanced boost controller that reduces peaks for a more linear power delivery. The left and right drive shafts have been modified to reduce torque steer. The six-speed manual transmission now has wider ratios than before and the tranny uses a low-viscosity fluid to reduce shift effort.

With the new body and chassis, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 is naturally better, however, it also gets large stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and shocks. As well, it now features 18-inch wheels with big brakes – 12.6-inches up front and 11-inches in the rear.

For more on the all-new Mazdaspeed3, keep reading after the jump:

GALLERY: MazdaSpeed3

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Citing the current economic client Dr. Dieter Z, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, said that the upcoming vehicles from Mercedes are “anti-depressants on wheels.”

The stunning new E-Class Coupe is just one of these vehicles.

This new vehicle does away with the B-pillar and also features frameless windows. Incredibly, this new design is the most aerodynamic shape of any production vehicle with a coefficient of drag of just 0.24.

Mercedes intends to make the E-Class Coupe efficient in many other ways with steering and fuel pumps that only operate when necessary and an alternator that varies depending upon the driving situation and the on-board voltage. Mercedes has also equipped the E-Class Coupe with low rolling resistance tires.

Offered in The U.S. in June, the vehicle will be available as both an E350 and E550 – however five different engines will be offered in Europe. The E350 will make use of Mercedes’ V6 engine with 268hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque and the E550 will use the V8 engine which boasts 382hp and 391 ft-lbs of torque. Two four-cylinder engines will also be available in Europe.

Much like its sedan counterpart the E-Class Coupe will feature plenty of state-of-the-art performance and safety equipment, including Agility Control adaptive shock absorbers and Attention Assist drowsiness detection. High beam assist, which adjusts the vehicle’s headlights based on the distance to a vehicle ahead or one in the oncoming lane, is also standard.

In Europe the E-Class Coupe will also come equipped with an Active Hood that will raise two two inches during an impact to reduce injury to a pedestrian.

Standard equipment includes a leather interior with sport seats, a Panorama Sunroof, Mercedes’s Command System and automatic dual-zone climate control.

GALLERY 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe:

Official release after the jump:

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Yes, another special edition of the Bugatti Veyron. These guys must have gone to Maserati’s school of marketing.

The Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire has the same 1001hp engine and pretty much all of the same toys. The real special reason to buy the car, however, is the matte-blue paint. Sorry, did we say blue.. we mean’t “bleu.”

The special edition Bugatti was made to celebrate the brand’s 100 years in business. (We’ll have more info after the press conference).

GALLERY: Bugatti Veyron Ble Centenaire:

After plenty of leaked details Audi has released all the juicy info on the TT-RS during the sportscar’s unveiling at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. The car does in fact make 340hp and an impressive 332 ft-lbs of torque from an all-new turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine.

But the TT-RS is about more than just power, it’s actually intended to be a real driver’s car. In fact Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen drove the white TT-RS onto the stage at Geneva. The car weighs quite little, especially considering it retains its quattro all-wheel drive system. The curb weight of the coupe is just 3,197 pounds and the roadster will tip the scales at 3,329 lbs.

Zero to 62 mph is rated at 4.6 seconds with a tenth of a second more for the TT-RS Roadster. One of the reasons is that all that torque is available as of just 1600 rpm.

The TT-RS features a new suspension setup with stiffer springs and quicker reacting shocks. It also comes with 18-inch wheels with 245/45/18 tires at all four corners. (19 and 20-inch wheels are optional). Front brake calipers measure 14.6-inches and rears measure 12.2-inches. Audi was also smart in that they made it possible to completely shut off the stability control.

The interior will be offered in several different specifications with one trim-line even including a mixed leather and Alcantara design.

Impressively, the car is available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. Which brings us to the bad news… it’s not available in North America. Not yet anyway.

GALLERY: Audi TT-RS:

Official release after the jump:

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