Prior Design Fattens up the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W211

Own a W211 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and just desperately need to stand out from the crowd? Prior Design just dropped some pics of its new appearance package for just that model.

Owners can get new front/rear bumpers (€599 each), side skirts (€349), and roof/trunk spoilers (€199 each) made from Duraflex (other materials optional). Fog lamps for the new front bumper are €249.

An extra €900 nets a stainless steel exhaust, and to get those 20-inch rims involved people will have to cough up another €1,700. That really isn't terrible for the rims, as long as one likes them; no word on what kind of tires are painted on them.

Personally, I'd love to see the Halloween paint scheme and black rims from Prior Design's Maserati 4200GT. On an E-Class with a CLK Black Series face, the Maser's rims and colors would just make it pop.

TechArt Launches New Performance Kits for Facelifted Porsche 911 Turbo

Longtime Porsche tuner TechArt is at it again. This time, the object of its tuning affection is the refreshed and more powerful Porsche 911 Turbo that was revealed at last year's Frankfurt Motor-Show.

In particular, the German firm has launched a new performance kit available in two stages that provide the 911 Turbo with an extra punch and even more power.

The first stage is called the 'TA 097/T1' and it includes a recalibrated engine control unit and the use of a sport air filter. Theses upgrades add an extra 70HP bumping power up to 570HP. That allows the 911 Turbo to sprint to 100km/h (62mph) in 3.2 seconds and max out at 324 km/h or 201 mph.

On top of the aforementioned mods, the second stage kit 'TA 097/T2' also involves the installation of new manifolds and a custom sport exhaust system, pushing output to 620HP and 820Nm (604.8 lb-ft) of peak torque, up from the standard car's 500Hp and 700Nm or 516 lb-ft - with overboost.

As a result, the Porsche 911 Turbo complete the 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) sprint in 2.9 seconds, while the 200 km/h barrier is broken in 9.3 seconds and the sports car reaches a top speed of 333 km/h or 208 mph.

America Loses out on the New Chevrolet Orlando (but Canada doesn't)

Sadly, Chevrolet will not be selling the production version of the chunky Orlando compact-crossover to the States. Instead, the Bowtie will focus on its current lineup of much-improved vehicles.

Here's how Margaret Brooks, head of small cars/crossover marketing explains it like this: "The best thing to do for Chevrolet is to focus on the brands we've already brought to market: the Traverse, Equinox, Malibu and, soon to come, the Cruze. We feel that with those vehicles, Chevrolet has plenty of options for the modern family."

Bloomberg does a great job of pointing out that, while the decision to not sell such a cool little people mover is unfortunate, it's s sign of a General Motors that makes smarter, more economically-focused decisions.

Speaking of being smart, the lack of a US Orlando comes with a bonus: more capacity for the Equinox, Traverse, and Malibu (three very important vehicles for Chevrolet).

Oh, and just to get you interested in some gray market action: Canada will be getting the Orlando, so ownership of one is just a little bit of paperwork away. Or a fast burn across the border.

Infiniti Recalling 134,215 G35 Sedan and Coupe Models Over Airbag Issue

Nissan said on Tuesday it will recall close to 135,000 Infiniti G35 sedans and coupes to address a glitch with a wiring harness connecting the belt tension sensor (BTS) and the occupant detection sensor (ODS) control unit under the front passenger seat that may prevent the passenger airbag from deploying in a crash.

The affected models are G35 sedans manufactured from March 29, 2004 through August 25, 2006, and G35 Coupes built between April 1, 2004 and May 30, 2007.

Even though the Japanese automaker initiated the voluntary recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website that Infiniti's parent company Nissan has yet to provide the agency with a fix or a notification schedule.

Nissan UK Confirms Prices for Refreshed Panthfinder and Navara

The facelifted Nissan Pathfinder SUV and its Navara pickup truck sibling are available for order now in Britain. Key enhancements for both models include the addition of a new 231HP 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, some minor revisions to the 2.5-liter diesel that now produces 190HP, a refreshed exterior and improved interior with more standard equipment.

The Navara 2.5dCi 190HP pickup truck starts from £19,807 (excluding VAT) for the Acenta King Cab, while the Tekna, available only in Double Cab form, costs from £24,389.50 (on the road) for the manual or £25,682 (on the road) for the automatic.

Additional standard features on the Navara Acenta include side and curtain airbags, ESP stability control, front fog lights, new seat cloth, additional cabin storage. On the Navara Tekna, pop-up headlight washers, speed limiter, power fold mirrors, MP3 AUX input all come as standard.

The Pathfinder Acenta 2.5 dCi 190HP is priced at £28,495 while the fully equipped Pathfinder Tekna is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission (£31,595) or a 5-speed automatic (£33,095).

Extra standard features on the Pathfinder Acenta include Fine Vision combimeter for a crisp view of the instrument dials, new centre console and lidded storage box and MP3 AUX input.

On the Pathfinder Tekna, Nissan Connect Premium HDD, a sat nav infotainment system with 7-inch colour touch screen, comes as standard as well as new 18-inch wheels, headlight washers, speed limiter and new centre console with wood finish.
Nissan said that prices for the 231HP V6 diesel models will be announced at a later date with deliveries starting in September.

Mercedes-Benz Opens Styling division, Reveals Concept Interior for Eurocopter

Mercedes-Benz Style is the Daimler equivalent to all the other fancy design houses run by auto manufacturers (think BMW's DesignworksUSA and Porsche Design). The goal is build product portfolios for more than just cars (like furniture, household utensils, etc.) using Merc's international design studios.

Mercedes-Benz design head Professor h.c. Gorden Wagener explains, "Our unique design expertise is appreciated throughout the world. We have therefore decided to establish the Mercedes-specific styling outside the automotive field too – and so far we have met with a very positive response from a great number of manufacturers in a variety of sectors."

Daimler's latest firm will both take on commissions (where the project originator is sold the styling user rights) and create original work (where the styling rights remain at MBS).

For their first trick, MBS has created a sumptuous interior for the the EC145 by Eurocopter, an EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space) subsidiary. Designed in Como, Italy, the EC145's interior benefits from a variety of "deluxe materials" and available wood flooring, along with ambient lighting derived from the Mercedes' E- and S-Class.

The designers decided to use some other Benzes for inspiration, as well, such as a "modular" layout reminiscent of the R-Class. The track-mounted seating allows for up to eight passengers and removal/layout shift for extra space if necessary. Other than making the chopper more Mercedes-y, the brainstorm theme of the day seems to have been "effective use of space".

"There are...three multi-function boxes with features such as a cool box, cup holder, table, 15-inch monitor and DVD player. In the partition wall [separating] the cockpit from the cabin, extra storage space is provided by drawers...Multi-purpose storage [is]a feature of the tail as well. Whether it's golf clubs for a day on the links with business partners or bikes and surfboards for a family holiday, the high-capacity luggage compartment has numerous attachment points on the floor and walls."

Next up: designing the exterior of a luxury yacht (the one where my EC145 will be landing for those "family holidays").

Audi to Show Seven Customized A1 Models at Wörthersee

This year's edition of the Wörthersee GTI Tour that takes place in Reifnitz, Austria, on May 12 will see Audi showcasing seven custom versions of its new A1 premium supermini, including a model sporting an "FC Bayern" look, taxi and police variants.

The other four custom A1s are a "Hot Rod" version with a matt-finish look, steel wheels with white-wall tires and extremely low ride height thanks to the air suspension, one fitted with a "competition kit" that pays homage to Audi rally vehicles from the 1980s, the "Wasserwacht" model that's dedicated to the local water rescue service and a "Fashion" edition.

"The Audi A1 fits in with the GTI meet because customization has always been a central topic for the Audi fans here at the Wörthersee and will also play a special role for A1 customers," says the Head of Audi Design, Stefan Sielaff, who was responsible for the creation of the special edition models.

The seven special A1s will be joined at Audi's Woorthersee stand by an array of models including the new Audi R8 GT, an Ice Silver A8, the facelifted TT Roadster and the TT Coupé and the new RS5 Coupe.