"Need for Speed -- Carbon" Car List Announced

EA announced the first cars that will be included in it's new version of "Need For Speed" dubbed Carbon, which will hit the roads in a few weeks. Apart from the Dodge Challenger Concept, the Aston Martin and the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO we saw on the promotional trailer of the all new NFS -click here to see the trailers: NFS Carbon, gamers will also get a chance to drive these 12 cars:

2003 BMW M3 GTR
2006 Porsche Cayman S
2006 Nissan 350 Z
2004 Lamborghini Murcielago
2006 Ford Mustang GT
2007 Audi Le Mans Quattro
2004 Lotus Elise
1998 Toyota Supra
2006 Alfa Romeo Brera
2006 VW Golf R32
2005 Mercedes CLK500
2006 Chrysler 300C SRT-8

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Fifth Gear test's 2007 Audi TT. Can it beat the Cayman?

Without doubt, the last Audi TT had the looks, but it wasn't much fun to drive. The German’s knew this so they promised to make to make things right with the second generation model. The 2007 TT's a bit bigger, a bit lighter and it has new magnetic dampers - like Ferrari’s 599. Tom Ford from 5th Gear flew to Austria to find out if they're right. via: Autoblog.it

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TechArt “pimps up” Porsche’s new baby coupe: the 385 Hp Cayman S based GTsport

Now tell me, isn’t this just plain sexy? A big bravo to TechArt who did quite a good job on the Cayman body which looks so much sexier than the original, especially if you look at it from ¾ behind.

But, appearance isn’t the only thing that changed on the Cayman’s alter ego as the GTsport is as bad as it looks. At the heart of this mid-engine sports car lies the increase in displacement from standard 3,387 cm³ to 3,824 cm³. The increase is facilitated by a bore enlarged to 99 millimeters with the corresponding larger special pistons, and by the installation of a special crankshaft.

The engine conversion further includes sports camshafts. A modified intake manifold with special air filter system and an aluminum header provide ample combustion air. The interaction of all these components including the fully stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with high-performance manifold is orchestrated by new mapping for the engine electronics.

So what do all these conversion sum up too? Maximum power is now 385 hp / 283 kW while peak torque is 407 Nm . According to TechART, the GTsport sprints form 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds while it’s top speed is 285 km/h.

Aerodynamics: The TechArt GTsport front apron is designed to replace the production bumper. With its large air inlets and four auxiliary headlights it lends the two-seater a more dynamic appearance while reducing lift on the front axle at high speeds. The extendable carbon air splitter can further minimize aerodynamic lift.

The TechArt rocker panels were modeled to calm the airstream between front and rear wheel houses. They also give the two-seater a longer, sleeker appearance. Carbon mirror moldings round out the racing look of the TechArt GTsport.

To optimize downforce on the rear axle and for even more striking looks TechArt Automobildesign further equips the GTsport with a rear wing with extendable carbon gurney flap. The rear apron is refined by a carbon diffuser.

Wheels: The especially light-weight one-piece TechArt Formula five-spoke wheels are mounted on the front axle in size 8.5Jx20 with ContiSportContact 3 tires in size 235/30 ZR 20. The rear axle features wheels in size 11Jx20 with size 305/25 ZR 20 tires.

Suspension: Specially calibrated to these wheels and tires is the TechArt VarioPlus coil-over suspension for all vehicles that are factory-equipped with the electronically adjustable PASM damper system. This suspension not only allows adjustable ride-height lowering by up to 25 millimeters, but also manual selection of damper settings “Normal” and “Sport” at the push of a button in the cockpit. The dampers are not limited by the manually selected setting: Sporty driving automatically firms up the dampers in both suspension modes. The result is an optimal symbiosis of excellent ride comfort during normal driving and agile direct response during fast cornering.

Price: The GTsport will be built in small-series production with prices starting in Europe forma 100,000 euros.

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Porsche Cayman: New basic version with 245 Hp

Following the market launch of the Cayman S in autumn 2005, Porsche is introducing the Cayman, a new basic version of the mid-engine sports coupé.

Engine: Based on the Boxster series, the two-seater is powered by a six-cylinder boxer engine with an engine-capacity of 2.7 liters and developing an output of 245 bhp (180 kW). Thanks to the Porsche VarioCam Plus system the Cayman affords a torque of 273 Newton meters available between 4,600 and 6,000 revs. Power is transmitted via a five-speed manual transmission with short, precise shifting travel. A six-speed manual transmission in conjunction with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is also available on request. As a third variant, Porsche offers its customers the well-known Tiptronic S five-speed automatic transmission, which has rocker switches in the steering-wheel spokes for sporty gear shifting.

Performance: It has a top speed of 258 kilometers per hour. This sports car with manual transmission accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The Cayman is convincing proof of the fact that outstanding performance statistics do not necessarily mean high fuel consumption. According to European standards, it consumes on average only 9.3 liters per 100 kilometers.

Chassis: The Cayman coasts along on 17-inch light-alloy wheels boasting a unique design with five double spokes. 205/55 tires are fitted as standard onto 6.5-inch wide wheel rims at the front; the combination at the rear is 235/50 tires on 8-inch rims. With the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system fitted as standard, the chassis makes an impressive impact in terms of driving dynamics and active safety.

The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is available as an optional extra. The system is capable of lowering the body by ten millimeters, and automatically adapts the shock-absorber system to each particular driving situation. The driver can choose between the “normal” and “sport” programs by pressing a button on the center console.

Design: Other special features of the Cayman are black brake calipers, black front-spoiler lips, a titanium-colored logo at the rear and also a trapezoidal tailpipe. The impressive interior boasts a comprehensive range of standard features including an air-conditioning system, a radio/CD player, seat covers in luxurious Alcantara leather, black-faced instrument dials and door entry trims with the Cayman logo. Because of the mid-engine concept, it boasts two trunk compartments with a combined volume of 410 liters, just like its big brother, the Cayman S. Along with many other storage features, this design highlights the sports coupé’s supreme practicality.

Safety: In additional to two full-size airbags to guarantee the necessary level of safety protection in the event of head-on collisions, the ingenious Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP), which features a chest and head airbag on each side of the vehicle, also provides excellent protection in side-on collisions.

Price: The basic price in euros for the Cayman is 40,900 euros. In Germany, the vehicle costs 47,647 euros including sales tax and country-specific requirements. The Cayman will be on sale in the USA for 49,400 dollars (not including tax). The market launch in Europe and the USA will take place on July 29, 2006.

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