Mitsubishi showcased the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse Ralliart at the 2005 SEMA Show this year. The Eclipse is kitted up with a turbocharged 2.0 liter engine, aftermarket enhancements, bodykit and a Ralliart theme paintwork.

The Eclipse Ralliarts receives the 4G63 turbocharged 2.0 liter putting from the Lancer Evolution. A custom air intake and HKS performance parts boosts power up to 400 horsepower. Those horses are transferred to the wheels via an all-wheel drive system also from the Lancer Evolution through a 6-speed manual transmission. Wheels are 20″ carbon fibre rims wrapped with Yokohama AVS Sport tyres.

The entire body has alot of carbon fibre used in it, like the roof, hood and fenders. The Ralliart Eclipse comes in Hot Red Mica, specially formulated for this Ralliart edition.

I was wondering why the gauges looked so familiar then noticed all the gauges on this car are from Auto Meter, taken from the Carbon Fibre sports series. I prefer the Cobalt series though. But these ones are nice as well.

© 2010 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 15 Mar 10 19:21:24 +0000.

I previously blogged about the Volkswagen Jetta R GT concept, one of the three concept vehicles which Volkswagen AG unveiled at the 2005 SEMA show. Now let’s have a look at the second of the three concepts, which is a modified Volkswagen Passat – the Volkswagen Passat R GT.

The base vehicle was a 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.2 V6 FSI, which already had a respectable DSG transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. The original 3.2 V6 engine, same one in the Golf R32 was put through a similiar modification as the Jetta R GT, with twin Garrett GT25R ball-bearing turbochargers bolted on, sending compressed air through twin intercoolers to the engine air intake. Resulting horsepower output is 575 horsepower.

The chassis rides on KW 3-way adjustable coil-over racing suspension, and brakes have been upgraded to Phaeton specification Brembo brakes. The wheels are same Avus 19″ wheels wrapped with Michelin found on the Jetta R GT concept.

Notice the iPods? The sound system has a direct interface to Apple’s iPods, and a Sony Playstation Portable is integrated into the back seat.

© 2010 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 15 Mar 10 19:21:24 +0000.

Volkswagen unveiled a series of vehicles under the R GT concept line for the 2005 SEMA auto show. This is the first of the three vehicles based on a Volkswagen Jetta. Let’s have a look at the Volkswagen Jetta R GT concept.

Volkwagen in collaboration with HPA Motorsports took a standard Volkswagen Jetta with a 2.5 liter normally aspirated engine and plonked in a version of the 3.2 liter V6 that powers the Volkswagen Golf R32. But that’s not all, the already monstrous 240 horsepower 3.2 liter V6 was twin turbocharged to produce a total of 550 horsepower.

Every other aspect of the car is tuned up as well. Brembo World Rally Championship specification brakes have been fitted, and suspension is a KW FIA 3-way coil-over set. Power is sent to the wheels via a DSG twin-clutch sequential transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

Wheels are 9.5 x 19 inch Avus DTM-spec wheels wrapped with Michelin ultra high performance tyres, which can be replaced easily with 9.5 x 18 inch wheels when the car needs to hit the track. Changing wheels is also easy, with AP Racing air jacks built onto the frame. This is a pure GT car!

The chassis also has an integrated roll cage, Recaro bucket seats, Schroth harnesses and F1-style electronic gauge displays by Stack. The whole interior is styled with black alacantra, carbon fibre and black leather. Classy and sporty at the same time!

© 2010 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 15 Mar 10 19:21:24 +0000.