Japanese Body Kit for Bentley

Japanese Body Kit for Bentley

If you follow Japanese car culture, you’ll realise that their car “enthusiasts” have a penchant for massive ground-hugging body-kits and for using random English words on their aftermarket products. Bearing that in mind, a Japanese company called Premier4509 has unveiled a custom widebody kit for the Bentley Continental GT.

While the name of the company was probably picked at random by a computer, the kit itself certainly is an eye-catcher. The hand-made carbon-fibre/FRP kit includes entire front and rear bumpers, side skirts and panel replacements. It adds four inches to the width of the Bentley, as well as wide aluminium wheels, a choice of two rear wings, and new exhaust tips.

Antas makers to build Vulca V12

Antas makers to build Vulca V12

The 2+2 seater will have its own unique chassis, and a choice of V12 engines, ranging from a 445 hp 6.0-litre to a 600 hp 7.5-litre, with a mid-level 520 hp 7.1-litre thrown in. Judging by the rendered photos, the first aluminium-bodied car is yet to be built. It will no doubt be hand-built like the Antas, with cabin trim that includes leather, alcantara and carbon-fibre.

Prices vary with options such as 19-inch or 21-inch wheels, but the general range is from €280,000 to more than €340,000. That’s a starting price of above Dhs 1.5 million.

Nissan GT-R

Nissan GT-R

These images of a prototype body kit for the GT-R were released by tuner company Wald. A vented front bumper, chin-mounted splitter, side skirts, add-on rear fender flares, a rear diffuser, a carbon-fibre rear spoiler and 22-inch wheels are all included in the aggressive kit. Whether it looks good or not is up to personal taste.

2009 Nissan Murano

2009 Nissan Murano

The Murano has been officially unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The profile is much the same as the current Murano, but the rear benefits from new LED tail-lights and there is an optional panoramic roof, along with a power upgrade for the standard V6.

Inside, the new Murano gets a huge helping of refinement, complete with a push-button start-system, wood and aluminium trim, optional Intelligent Key, Bose audio, DVD navigation, 9.3-gig hard drive and optional iPod connectivity. There is also a standard audio system with a six-disc changer and an auxiliary jack.

Front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models will get power from Nissan’s 265 hp 3.5-litre V6 mated to a CVT tranny, with five trim levels available.

Nissan Nismo 370Z S-Tune

Nissan Nismo 370Z S-Tune

The tuning arm of Nissan has already unveiled a modified version of the yet-to-be-on-sale Nissan 370Z. Dubbed the Nismo 370Z S-Tune, it concentrates more on handling than on engine performance.

Parts of the Nismo kit will be sold in pieces through Nissan dealers in Japan and America, but not necessarily the UAE or the GCC. S-Tune parts include a full body kit, upgraded suspension, better brake pads, free-flow exhaust, deep-dish alloy wheels and extra bracing to further stiffen the structure. The engine is left untouched, with its standard 332 hp 3.7-litre V6 mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic.

2009 Chevrolet Aveo5

2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 gets dealer mods

General Motors Middle East is heavily promoting the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 hatchback as a hip new car for young people. As part of a major advertising campaign (which we’ve been left out of), the Aveo5 is being touted as base for customisations with various dealer-installed modifications, all under warranty.

The Aveo5 mods offered by various GCC dealers include larger alloy wheels, tinted windows, applying stick-on decals, bumper kits, side-skirts, spoilers, hood scoops and even roof scoops, as well as customised paint jobs.

Saudi Royal family orders 80 Kahn Range Rovers

Saudi Royal family orders 80 Kahn Range Rovers

British tuning firm Project Kahn, owned by a British Muslim, introduced their Project Kahn Cosworth 300 customisation of the Range Rover Sport recently, and got a jumpstart to their production of the modded vehicle with an order for 80 examples from just the Saudi royal family.

The customisation program features a new body kit, with a new front spoiler, Cosworth handcrafted mesh front grille and side vents, new side sills, side steps, stainless steel side bars, new rear roof spoiler, a Cosworth rear valance and a lower boot spoiler. The interior also receives blue illuminated instrument dials, stainless steel door sill plates engraved with the Cosworth logo, perforated Nappa leather all over the place, perforated gear knob and Cosworth leather or Alcantara hand stitched steering wheel. Mechanical upgrades include a Cosworth 300 kit, with carbon-fibre engine cover, new stainless steel exhaust silencer and 22-inch wheels.
The customization will cost around $116,000 if you supply the car, while for a fully customised vehicle with every option installed will cost $200,000.

Apparently the Saudis wanted to drive the car before anyone else. I also hear that the cost of going for Hajj this year for UAE expats is Dhs 25,000. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry for the land of our Prophet (Peace be Upon Him).