BenzBoost

Harrop Engineering doing the "impossible" - Introducing the world's first positive displacement E92/E90/E92 S65 V8 supercharger

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:55:00 -0500

Wow. That is exactly what came out of my mouth when I saw this supercharger kit at Bimmerfest. In all honesty, it was my main motivation for attending the event once I heard it would be there. Some people may be reading this and wondering what the big deal is as superchargers already exist for the M3. That is true, superchargers do exist, but they are all centrifugal style blowers. This is the world's first positive displacement supercharger for the S65 V8.

Why is that a big deal? Because it's a completely different type of blower with completely different power delivery. This is the solution for those who complain about the M3's torque or for those who do not like the response down low of a centrifgual blower which needs rpm to make boost. This style

Porsche 911 Turbo S (997.2) versus McLaren MP4-12C head to head at the 1/4 mile drag strip

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:11:00 -0500

Great video here of three runs at the PBIR (Palm Beach International Raceway) between a McLaren MP4-12C and a Porsche 911 Turbo S PDK. Oddly enough, the McLaren seems to rip the 911 Turbo out of the hole on the runs despite not having all wheel drive. It's fast, very fast in the first run turning a 10.6@134 to the 911's 11.0@125. On the second run the McLaren gives the 911 Turbo the hit and seems to just barely run it down but the times are similar with a 10.6@133 for the McLaren and 11.0@126 for the 911 Turbo.

The 911 Turbo S is a terror on the

BMW to return to Formula 1? Bernie Ecclestone seems to think so

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:53:00 -0500

Honda will be returning to Formula 1 as an engine supplier in 2015. The will be supplying McLaren with the new turbo motors Formula 1 will be switching to. This apparently has Bernie Ecclestone thinking that BMW will soon follow suit as BMW does have history in Formula 1 as an engine supplier. BMW pulled out as a constructor in the 2008 season and completely out of the sport with engines and all after the 2009 season.

Ecclestone stated, "I would be surprised if we don't see BMW again. I think they could come in. The amount of money they spent was not significant in the grand scheme of things. It makes sense for them to return."

This basically amounts to nothing more than Ecclestone saying it makes sense

Quaife releases a limited slip differential for the C207 Mercedes-Benz E550

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:51:00 -0500

It is official, Quaife has a limited slip differential upgrade available for the C207 Mercedes-Benz E550 models. With the torque the M278 twin turbo V8 generates a limited slip differential becomes necessary to maintain traction and definitely will improve putting the power down in corners especially as well as the straightline or low traction conditions (rain, snow). The diff is a direct replacement for the factory open differential. It will not interfere with the electronics or cause any malfunction lights.

The differential will also eliminate a degree of torque steer from the factory open diff. Quite simply, it's a great upgrade for the rear wheel drive E550 coupes. The diff comes with a lifetime warranty and will be available in July.

What an APR Stage III turbo install looks like on a MKVI Golf R - 500+ horsepower

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:17:00 -0500

Here are pictures of what an APR Stage III turbo kit setup looks like on a MKVI Golf R. The kit is very impressive and comes with all the hardware necessary obviously. This install was done by APTuning who photographed the process. A dyno is included of what the setup is capable of. On 100 octane race gas the Stage III GTX kit shows 511 horsepower versus a stock 272. Unfortunately this dyno is at the crank and not the wheels.

Photos of the install and dynograph below:

Audi Q8 on the way for 2017 to challenge the BMW X6? Q8 RS to take on X6M?

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:30:00 -0500

BMW is to be commended for creating a niche with the X6 and a successful one at that. Essentially, they took what Mercedes-Benz did with the CLS creating the four door coupe segment and applied to an SUV giving it a lower roofline for sleeker looks. Now everybody else is scrambling to catch up and it seems Audi intends to join the fray with a Q8 to compete. The Q8 of course will be based on the Q7 so just as the X5 and X6 share a platform so will the Q7 and Q8.

This also means the Q8 will share the same weight loss as the next generation Q7 which is set to shed about 800

Audi hating on Tesla? Jealous? States people should not be so fast to put Tesla on a pedestal in recent press relase

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:24:00 -0500

This comes off a bit spiteful and bitter from Audi. A recent press release titled "Not so fast to put Tesla on that particular pedestal" by Audi lobs shots at the electric car maker. Audi even says the automotive industry is giving Tesla way too much credit. The issue Audi takes is with recent articles about Tesla sales beating Mercedes, BMW, and Audi that Audi claims are not accurate. The reasoning behind this is that Audi sales trump Tesla sales.

Audi of America is right that their US sales in April alone of 13,157 units trump Tesla's 4,750 units year to date. But the article they are referencing specifically mentioned the A8 which the Tesla Model S is apparently outselling as the A8 only sold 1,462 units in April.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 wins the Nurburgring 24 hours - Takes first, third, and fourth place

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:00 -0500

Very strong showing from the SLS GT3 at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring. You likely already know what a grueling course the ring is and a 24 Hour endurance race on the famous circuit is no joke. The winning Black Falcon SLS GT3 started in sixth and worked its way up to first finishing two minutes and thirty nine seconds ahead of the second place car. Rowe Racing took third and fourth place with their SLS GT3's.

The race was red flagged for 9 hours due to rain. A total of 7 SLS GT3's were entered. The Nurburgring 24 Hours is mostly aimed at amateurs who purchase factory race cars. Some of the drivers are professionals. Would be a lot of fun to buy an SLS GT3 and race in something like this.

Congratulations to Mercedes

New Porsche 991 GT2 will be PDK only and have 552 horsepower - GT2RS over 600 horsepower

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:32:00 -0500

Well, no surprise here. Porsche continues to embrace the dual clutch transmission making the PDK standard and the only option on their new GT cars such as the GT3 and GT2. It started with the 991 GT3 getting the PDK transmission only with no manual option and now the 991 GT2 and GT2 RS will take the same route. Even the new 991 Turbo

Official - BMW F10 M5 gets facelift for 2014, F10 M5 and F12/F13 M6 get Competition Package for 2014 which boosts the S63TU V8 output to 575 horsepower

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:10:00 -0500

Well, well, well, BMW responds to the criticism as well as the competition to the F10 M5 with a facelift for the 2014 model which includes a Competition Package option. The standard car is 560 horsepower but the Competition Package option boosts this output to 575 horsepower which is a direct response to Mercedes-Benz and AMG with the facelifted E63/CLS63 AMG sporting an all wheel drive option and an optional 585 horsepower.

The power boost is one part but the suspension is also revised with the Competition