Ferrari 458 Italia "Project Black Mist" by SR Auto Group 2016

In August 2012, Canadian tuner SR Auto Group unveiled their latest program for the Ferrari 458 Italia, dubbed "Project Ice Blade". Apparently, we used that word "latest" a little too prematurely because SR Auto Group has a new program for the Italian supercar.

Calling this one "Project Black Mist," SR Auto Group once again used aerodynamic parts from Italian tuner Novitec Rosso. With the help of the Novitec kit - it includes a front lip, a rear diffuser, and a rear aero spoiler - SR Auto Group managed to enhance the lines and curves of the Italian bad boy. From there, the paint was matched to the original exterior, which, as SR describes was the reason why the program was christened ’Black Mist.’

Rounding out the upgrades, as per usual, are a new set of wheels that SR picked themselves. In this case, the chased wheels are 21" (on the front) and 22" (on the rear) modern gloss black PUR NE1 Monoblock wheels.

Suffice to say, it’s another program that SR Auto Group can tuck under their belts. At this point, we’re just happy that they’ve been hitting these projects out of the park.

Next Ford Focus RS will deliver 350 Horsepower

Rumors about a new generation Ford Focus RS have been circulating for quite some time now, but today, British magazine AutoExpress is offering new details on the company’s new sports hatchback. The next Focus RS will be powered by a newly developed 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine - also rumored to be used in the 2015 Mustang. This new engine will deliver a total of 350 horsepower - a 50-horsepower increase over the current model.

The engine will send its power to the front wheels, but will use an active limited-slip differential - E-diff - that will optimize traction in all driving situations. The model will be offered with a standard manual gearbox, but Ford is taking the development of a new dual-clutch automatic, using PowerShift technology under consideration. However, this kind of transmission is heavier and Ford needs to find a solution to adapt it to the RS model.

The new Focus RS is set to be released in early 2014 and will be priced at about £25,000 ($39,965 at the current exchange rates).

Vauxhall Insignia VXR SuperSport 2016

Most of you are familiar with the awesome Opel Insignia OPC, or the Vauxhall Insignia VXR if you are from the British market. With an impressive output of 325 horsepower, this model can hit a top speed of 155 mph. Today, however, the company has improved this model even further with the addition of a new VXR SuperSport edition that can hit an astounding top speed of 170 mph.

The new VXR SuperSport is powered by a turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6 Ecotec engine. This engine features a micro-alloy forged steel crank, classic 60-degree cylinder angle and a die-cast alloy sump. It delivers a total of 325 horsepower, which launches the car to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds.

In order to deliver the best possible handling at high speeds, the new SuperSport has been equipped with a HiPer Strut front suspension, which maintains negative camber and improves grip levels in wet and dry. Also included on the SuperSport is the FlexRide adaptive damping system.

Vauxhall has also placed blue "Brembo" lettering on the front brake calipers plus additional increments on the speedometer in order to help customers identify the model.

Audi S5 by Senner Tuning 2016

This isn’t the first time Senner Tuning has turned their attention to modifying the Audi S5, but their newest package is probably the most impressive one to date. This package was developed for thefacelift Audi S5 and has been designed to provide it with the flagship RS5 model’s look.

Painted in a very cool ibis-white, the S5 by Senner has received a new front spoiler that maintains the original RS5 air intakes, an original black RS5 radiator grille, an RS5-style rear spoiler, a rear window spoiler, a restrained boot lid spoiler, and an RS5 exhaust pipe end covers. The package also includes numerous elements made of carbon fiber like the side skirts and the exterior mirrors. Senner has also installed a new set of Work VS-XX light-alloy wheels, sized 9x20 inch up front and 10.5x20 inch at the rear.

Under the hood, the tuner has updated the standard 3.0 liter V6 engine to deliver an impressive 429 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque (up from the standard 329 HP and 324 lb-ft). In order to deliver the extra power, the tuner installed a mechanically-driven supercharger, a performance racing air filter, a two-part motor cover, and a power converter.

For the interior, the tuner added colorful bicolor fine Nappa leather trim in black and magma-red with contrasting color stitching and an Audi R8 sports steering wheel, flattened at the bottom, with shift paddles and a race ring, as well as RS5 door handles.

Lotus Nemesis sets new UK electric land-speed record 2016

While the folks in France are checking out the new rides at the Paris Auto Show, in the UK, people are keeping themselves busy breaking records. A battery-powered Lotus Elise developed by utility company, Ecotricity, has reached an average speed of 151 mph near York today. Behind the wheel was 21-year-old Nick Ponting, who managed to smash the previous record of 137 mph set by a Bluebird Electric in 2000.

The Nemesis completed two runs along Elvington Airfield over a one mile distance, with Nick Ponting breaking the record on the first set of consecutive runs with an average speed of 148 mph. The electric supercar achieved this record with the use of two electric motors that develop a total of 330 HP. This setup also sprints it from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds.

Dale Vince OBE, founder of Ecotricity said: "This is brilliant. We built the Nemesis to smash the stereotype of electric cars as something Noddy would drive – slow, boring, not cool – and I think we’ve done exactly that today. Hopefully this will further stimulate debate about the future of transport in Britain and how we’ll be getting around when the world runs out of oil. What we’ve been able to demonstrate is that wind-powered cars are not just feasible, but can be a load of fun."