Latest news with #tuning
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Look out, it's a widebody Rolls-Royce Cullinan with 24in wheels
German tuner 'refines' Rolls SUV by adding arch extensions and upping power Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. Footballers of Europe, listen up. Is your Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II going unnoticed in the training ground car park? Have all the other players gone running to Mansory for help? Well, here's how you stand out. This particular Cullinan Series II has been 'refined' by a different German tuner known as Spofec, and while it doesn't feature any of the glued-on forged carbon fibre that Mansory is so fond of, it's still not shy.
Auto Express
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Alpina is getting a new badge, and it's good news for petrolheads
Back in 2022 German tuning firm Alpina was acquired by BMW and since then it's been business as usual, with Alpina continuing to build high-spec, tweaked variants of BMW's line-up. But now something significant has happened: Alpina has a new badge. There's been no official comment on the new logo from Alpina or BMW, because we found it on a trademark site where BMW had applied to register it as recently as 3 July. Advertisement - Article continues below While the overall design remains similar, it's simpler. Now black and white instead of the blue and red colour scheme introduced in 1974, the logo loses its 3D effect, while the depictions of the throttle on the left and the crankshaft symbol on the right become less detailed too. The use of a crankshaft and throttle body in the new logo might give traditional Alpina fans hope that the brand won't go fully-electric – indeed, Alpina hasn't worked on a BMW EV yet – but a closer partnership with BMW makes the tuning company's first electric car seem inevitable. Alpinas are incredibly rare and just 371 new cars were sold in the UK last year. But if you're after a high-quality German vehicle, don't forget there are plenty of BMWs to choose from on the Auto Express Marketplace . Founded in 1965, Alpina tuned BMWs for motorsport throughout the sixties and seventies. The first Alpina passenger cars were launched in 1978 and since then the firm has expanded into an official vehicle manufacturer based in Buchloe, Germany. BMW and Alpina will continue their current cooperation agreement, which has been secured until the end of this year. That means BMW-assembled cars will receive extensive modifications from Alpina, including having their powertrain, chassis, aerodynamics and interior equipment tweaked to customer specification. Did you know you can buy a used car with Auto Express? Choose from tens of thousands of cars with trusted dealers around the UK. Click here to buy used with Auto Express now... Find a car with the experts Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more Best cars & vans 23 Jun 2025 BMW is killing carbon fibre to build its lightweight M cars from plants Developed in collaboration a Swedish clean-tech firm, natural fibres are said to be just as strong and lightweight as carbon alternatives, plus more s… New BMW Concept Speedtop is an ultra-rare shooting brake with looks to die for Couldn't get on the shortlist for the BMW Skytop? Here's the hard-top version – but only 70 will be made Ultra-exclusive BMW Skytop spotted on the road for the first and possibly last time Only 50 examples of the elegant V8-powered two-seater will be made, each costing approximately £500,000, and they've all been sold Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Korean brand acts swiftly to cut prices on all its electric cars, amid confusion over Government's grant scheme Congestion Charge EV exemption removal to generate over £75million per year Congestion Charge EV exemption removal to generate over £75million per year TfL is planning to raise the Congestion Charge to £18, and EV drivers will have to pay too Dacia's baby EV due in 12 months with a tiny £15k price tag Dacia's baby EV due in 12 months with a tiny £15k price tag Dacia's new model will be developed in double-quick time, and it'll be built in Europe to avoid China tariffs
Top Gear
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
This AC Schnitzer-tuned BMW M5 looks like a real bully and gets even more power
This AC Schnitzer-tuned BMW M5 looks like a real bully and gets even more power The new frock is more than just for show: how does 799bhp sound? Skip 16 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 16 AC Schnitzer is one of those tuners that rarely takes things over the top, and this new upgrade package for both the M5 saloon (G90) and estate (G99) is a testament to that... despite now having more power than the super-focused McLaren 765LT. No seriously, it isn't over the top. Because that 4.4-litre twin-turbo hybrid V8 develops 799bhp, up from 727bhp. Barely 72 horsepower! That's a really good sneeze! And while ACS hasn't specified any torque or acceleration improvements, the M5 already has plenty of both: the standard car currently serves up 737lb ft and a 0-62mph time of 3.5s. Advertisement - Page continues below So, bit more power. Lot more grrr. Complementing all that shiny new force is a lean, mean aero kit and rear wing attached to that bulged body; a bit like equipping a polar bear with cycling spandex shorts and streamlined goggles. Those claw-like canards on the front make a pretty strong statement too. Other changes include 110mm stainless steel exhausts to add a little more expression to the M5's voice, tweaked suspension that drops the ride height by 20mm, and 'AC6' lightweight forged alloys. Given the intricate detailing on the latter, any and every kerb on the road will probably warrant a clench. AC Schnitzer will also make a handful of changes inside, revising the iDrive controller, footrest and pedals in machined aluminium, while throwing in some bespoke badges. Pricing is yet to be announced since the package is still under development, but that should give you some time to find £111k for the base saloon - or another £2k if you want the Touring. Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford's Securely Locked ECU Is Now Open For Tuners To Have A Field Day
Ford's Securely Locked ECU Is Now Open For Tuners To Have A Field Day originally appeared on Autoblog. HP Tuners Finds A Way In The Ford MG1CS036 ECU used in the latest-generation S650 Ford Mustang has been quite the challenge for tuners wishing to extract more power from the car, much as it was for Nissan GT-R tuners when the R35 arrived. Thanks to the Blue Oval's Fully-Networked Vehicle electronic architecture, which must protect against hacks in cars with over-the-air update capability, getting around the ECU's security measures without turning the entire vehicle into a paperweight is tricky. But thanks to HP Tuners, no longer do owners need to fit an aftermarket ECU or go through Ford. As noted by Ford Authority, Palm Beach Dyno is already exploring the new possibilities, and at this early stage, the mildly modified Mustang delivers an extra 30 horsepower and 20 lb-ft of torque. Mustang Owners Aren't The Only Beneficiaries HP Tuners' work cracking the ECU can also be applied to a number of trucks and SUVs, so there's a great opportunity to build a mild sleeper here. Palm Beach Dyno's various tuning packages range in price from $319-$750, and the company says it can offer custom tunes for cars fed by 91 octane, 93 octane, E85, and race gas, whether those are naturally aspirated or boosted by Whipple Superchargers, Prochargers, Vortech Superchargers, or Hellion Twin Turbo kits. Numerous engines benefit, with the full list of compatible vehicles below: 2024-2025 S650 Ford Mustang GT, Dark Horse (5.0L V8) 2021-2023 Ford F-150 (2.7L, 3.5L V6 EcoBoost, 5.0L V8) 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R (5.2L supercharged V8) 2021-2025 Ford Bronco (2.7L EcoBoost V6) 2022-2025 Ford Bronco Raptor (3.0L EcoBoost V6) 2022-2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (3.0L EcoBoost V6) 2022-2023 Ford Expedition (3.5L EcoBoost V6) Simplified Tuning Is Just The StartFor now, the main benefit is that Mustang owners can finally tune their cars through the OBDII port - no need to pay $99.99 for the Ford MG1 upgrade service offered by HP Tuners, which required the customer to remove their powertrain control module/ECU and wait for it to be returned. Now, an S650 with no hardware can get a few more ponies, and those considering more serious upgrades like the aforementioned fueling and boost solutions can take an expensive aftermarket ECU out of the equation. With custom tuning now possible, expect to see loads more seventh-generation Mustangs taking to your local drag strip, and expect their power to increase as the limits are inevitably pushed over the coming months. Ford's Securely Locked ECU Is Now Open For Tuners To Have A Field Day first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Auto Blog
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
AC Schnitzer Gives BMW's New M5 More Power And Presence
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. or sign in with Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Hybrid V8 Means a Wild M5, But AC Schnitzer Wants More The 2025 BMW M5 is no longer just a muscular gas-powered brute. With the G90 sedan and G99 Touring, BMW has added a plug-in hybrid twist to the formula, pairing a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with electric power to generate a staggering 717 horsepower right out of the box. Whether you choose the sedan or the long-roof version, the result is a capable machine that blends Autobahn pace with electric efficiency. 0:02 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More But for AC Schnitzer, the M5's standard firepower wasn't enough. The German tuning firm, known for adding sharp edges to BMW's most capable models, has rolled out a preview of its full upgrade package for the new M5 duo. The result is a sedan or a wagon that's more powerful and noticeably beefier. M5 Gets Angrier, Louder, and 82 Horses Stronger As expected from AC Schnitzer, the German tuner is preparing a performance tune that will raise system output to 799 hp, or 82 more than the standard M5. The tuner hasn't fully revealed how this is achieved, but it's expected to come primarily from the combustion engine side, possibly boosting the 4.4-liter V8 to around 660 hp. Torque figures are still under wraps, but a bump over the stock 553 lb-ft is expected. The upgrade includes a full warranty, maintaining peace of mind even with the added firepower. Visual changes are just as serious. The car gains a more aggressive front splitter, canard-style side wings, chunkier side skirts, and a new rear diffuser. The three-box sedan gets a trunk lip spoiler, while the family-oriented wagon receives a roof wing. Ride height is lowered by 0.79 inches front and rear via revised springs for sharper handling. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Wheels are replaced with forged 21-inch AC6 Lightweight sets, available in either glossy black or ceramic-coated natural aluminum. Wrapped in wide rubber, they're paired with optional spacers if you want to stick to factory wheels. The quad 4.3-inch 'Carbon Sport' exhaust tips finish off the visual and aural drama. In Development, But Coming Soon Inside, you'll find aluminum trim pieces including pedals, an iDrive controller cover, and a matching key holder – minor but tasteful upgrades in keeping with the car's sharpened focus. All components of the AC Schnitzer M5 package are currently in development, with pricing and availability to be announced later in 2025. As always, Schnitzer's upgrades serve as a more radical, performance-focused alternative to BMW's own M Performance Parts line. About the Author Jacob Oliva View Profile
