2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Whereas a lot of people will tell you how much they love Ferraris and Lamborghinis, we certainly don’t mind if we got our hands on a Maserati GranTurismo. Heck, it’s even better if that GranTurismo is the MC Stradale.

Noted tuner SR Auto Group loves the GranTurismo MC Stradale, too. So much, in fact, that they built a program for it called "Project Aurora." According to SR Auto Group, Project Aurora "is a sophisticated machine that has been transformed into a menacing beast." Appropriate description, especially when the Italian super car was dressed with a Frozen White exterior wrap with Matte Black accents while also being treated with a new H&R lowering suspension set-up and a new set of 21" and 22" PUR 1NE wheels finished in gloss black.

SR Auto Group opted to keep the engine straight, but even without any enhancements, the GranTurismo MC Stradale is as beast in its own right, one that’s capable of producing 450 horsepower and 376 lbs/ft of torque from its 4.7-liter V8 engine.

No explanations needed here, folks. Project Aurora is a bright, hot, and smoking piece of GranTurismo MC Stradale awesomeness.

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2013 Audi R8 "PD GT850"

This isn’t Prior Design’s first go-around with the Audi R8, but their tuning packages for the beautiful sports car just keep getting better and better. Their latest package can be applied to both V8 and V10 versions and adds a noticeable look and spectacular driving performance to the already stunning sports car.

The PD-GT850 tuning kit transforms the standard R8 into a brutal racing style car with an entirely revised front end. There’s a new front apron and an integrated carbon spoiler, as well as two air inlet covers with two carbon struts each and an integrated air outlet with four plates for better engine cooling.

The most noticeable thing about the PD-GT850 kit is that it transforms the R8 into a much wider car with the use of new front mudguards and wide, carbon fiber alternative side covers. The side of the car has also received aerodynamically formed side sills with four LED lamps. The package ends with a massive rear spoiler and a new rear apron with an integrated carbon diffuser and lateral air inlets. These changes will set customers back a total of 24,900 euro, or about $32,200 at the current exchange rates. For an additional 9,900 euro (about $12,800 at the current rates), the tuner will also add a new set of 3-part, 20" ADV1 Concave-wheels with Continental tires (265/30R20 for the front and 325/25R20 for the rear).

Engine modifications can also be had with the PD GT850 program, including a special sports exhaust system with flap control for an extra 2,699 euro (about $3,500 at current rates) and an increased power output to 475 HP from 420 HP for 5,900 euro (about $7,600 at current rates). Customers can get more power by opting for the compressor conversion which will net them an even more impressive 565 HP. Pricing for that conversion has not been released.

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2012 Mercedes CLS 6.3 Yachting

Kicherer has already impressed us with some of the most amazing tuning packages for theMercedes AMG models, so it seem fitting that they would continue that trend with yet another package. Based on the CLS 63 AMG model, the new 6.3 Yachting benefits from interesting exterior updates and a power bump from the standard 518 HP up to 625 HP.

The exterior changes for the CLS include the addition of a new set of wheels, sized 20" on the front axle and 21" on the rear, combined with an electronically adjusted chassis and a high performance braking system with steel flex brake lines. The sedan has also been wrapped in a very cool full-cover star-graphite film. For the interior, the tuner is offering a combination of leather, Alcantara, and carbon-fiber.

Under the hood, the 5.5 liter Bitubo engine has been updated to deliver an impressive 625 HP and 634 lb-ft of torque. The speed limiter has also been removed, allowing the car to hit a top speed of 186 mph.

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2012 Ferrari 458 Italia By SP Engineering

Ferrari’s latest toy, the 458 Italia, is probably one of the most appreciated sports cars that have been launched onto the market recently, and if there’s one thing that can be appreciated just as much as a luscious sports car is an equally amazing woman standing next to it.

The woman that is seen in these images, and in the video, is Jessica Weaver, the model chosen to be pictures with the 458 Italia for the "SP Tuned Girls" calendar. The Ferrari in the images belongs to Ray Hofman, who wanted to see what SP Engineering could do with his beautiful new ride.

SP Engineering didn’t have to do much to get the 458 Italia camera ready, but they did add a new suspension from Novitec Rosso and a new titanium race exhaust system from SPE CarbonTek. The package was then completed by a new set of wheels from iForged Fusion and, since the sports car already had a crisp white paint finish, an SP Engineering custom black painted roof.

If the images of the Ferrari 458 Italia and Jessica Weaver aren’t enough, then you may want to check out the video of the photo shoot. Any red-blooded American man would be crazy not to count down the days until the calendar’s release, which should be sometime in Fall 2013.

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2013 Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R just gets better and better every year and 2013 will be no exception. Theoriginal version launched back at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show delivered a total of 473 HP; the most recent model - Model Year 2012 - went up to an impressive 530 HP; and things aren’t slowing down for the Japanese automaker. The new version (2012 in Japan, 2013 in USA) has made its official debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, and Nissan has delivered the kind of performance the GTR is known for, but not what we expected.

The bad news from this reveal is that, despite previous rumors, the 2013 GT-R will not deliver 560 HP. Its output has been increased indeed, but "only" to 542 HP - an increase of 12 HP over the current model. The most impressive part however is that the 466 lb-ft of torque will be delivered from 3,200 rpm all the way up to 5,800 rpm.

For 2013, the GT-R will also offer a new "For Track Pack" special edition that adds new high-friction seats, a stiffer suspension, and lighter wheels.

UPDATE 01/20/2012: Nissan has just announced prices for the 2013 Nissan GT-R, which is on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide. The model will be offered in two versions: the GT-R Premium at a starting price of $96,820 and the GT-R Black Edition priced at $106,320. An optional Special Paint-Super Silver will add another $3,000 to the car’s price.

UPDATE 06/20/2012: Nissan has unveiled a pretty cool video featuring the 2013 GT-R taking some laps on a race track at the Monticello Motor Club, North America’s Premier Automotive Resort and Private Race Track, located just 90 miles from Manhattan.

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2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP900 By DMC

DMC has been working on a tuning package for the Lamborghini Aventador for what seems like ages. At first, they couldn’t decide on a name for it - going from Gargiulo to Allegro before deciding on Molto Veloce. Now, they’ve come back with another upgrade for the supercar: a full LP900 engine that produces 900 HP, up from the standard 700 HP.

When compared to the previous package, which only added a bodykit, the new one features a redesigned spoiler sword and a stunning front-splitter lip, all made of pure carbon fiber. The package also includes new side skirt diffusers aimed to improve the overall aerodynamics. The back of the Aventador has received a new lightened carbon fiber diffuser and an added tunnel system.

But how did the tuner manage to obtain the extra power? They decided to use 12 unique single intake throttle plates, one per each cylinder, followed by optimized engine electronics, an electronic load pressure control system, and completely new wiring. DMC also installed a brand new titanium exhaust system.

The price for this package is just as extensive as the additions. The Lamborghini Aventador LP900 BY DMC package will set customers back 125,000 euros, or about $165,000 at the current exchange rates.

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