Video: Watch the Mopar Team Turn a Jeep Wrangler into a Pickup Truck

As well as announcing the U.S. market launch of the JK-8 kit that carries a $5,499 sticker, Chrysler’s Mopar division also released a new time-lapse video that shows us a team of workers turning a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup truck with a small bed at the back.
According to Mopar Performance Team engineer, Steve Houtman, it took the four-man crew (or at least that’s our count of the number of people seen working on the Jeep) about an hour to complete the transformation using the JK-8 kit. Watch them in action for yourself in the clip after the break.

Jeep Prices New JK-8 Kit to Transform Wrangler Unlimited to a Pickup Truck at $5,499

Those of you that fancy turning your four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck will be happy to know that the firm’s much-talked about JK-8 Kit is available for order now through Mopar at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships, with pricing set at $5,499.
However, Jeep does note that the JK-8 kit, which comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, is for “skilled do-it-yourselfers”. For the less handy amongst us, the company said that the kit may be purchased and installed at a Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or Ram dealership.

O.CT. Tuning Supercharges Audi R8 V8 to 565-Horses

Owners of the entry-level Audi R8 with the 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 seeking a healthier output may want to take a look at O.CT. Tuning’s latest offering. The European tuning firm has developed a new performance package that bolts on compressor to the Audi model’s V8 engine while also tweaking the ECU and adding a custom exhaust system.

Romeo Ferraris Introduces the MINI Countryman 150o Anniversario

The MINI Countryman may be, you know, British, but that hasn’t stopped Italian tuning house Romeo Ferraris from creating a special edition in celebration of Italy’s 150th anniversary as a nation.
The festive MINI is based on the flagship Countryman Cooper S that is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol churning out 184-horses and a peak torque of 240Nm. After Romeo Ferraris technicians remap the ECU and add a new intercooler, a sports air filter and a race-spec exhaust system, the aforementioned numbers grow to 227HP and 328Nm (241.9 lb-ft).

It Came From eBay Hell: Mercury Cougar Based Bugatti Veyron Replica

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. Of all the cars I’ve featured in “It Came From eBay Hell”, this one takes the cake. It’s a 2002 Mercury Cougar with 120,000 miles (193,120 kilometres) on the clock, though that’s not what makes it special. No, what makes it special is the composite and fibreglass Bugatti Veyron body draped over it.
That’s right: it’s a Cougatti Vercuryon! Not only does this modern masterpiece come with (Walmart™ Brand) 20-inch rims, two-tone paint and leather everything, it also comes with all the stuff that made the Mercury Cougar the modern classic it is today

Audi Q7 Pickup Truck Photo Begs the Question: Is it Real or Fake?

This photograph of an Audi Q7 SUV turned into a pickup with an aluminum truck bed appeared today on several sites, all pointing towards an Audi fan blog as the source.
Over the years, we’ve seen one too many photo-chops making the internet rounds to take everything we see online for granted. In this case, even though there appears to be an inconsistency in the shadows between the lower parts of the front door and the rear panel, we just can’t be 100 percent sure.

Vilner Joins Forces with Overdrive to Tune 400HP Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X

After tuning several American and European cars, Vilner has now turned its focus on a Japanese model, the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X. For this project, the Bulgarian tuning house joined forces with a company called Overdrive, which took over the performance upgrades. As you can see in the two videos after the jump, (the exterior photo was shot before the light modifications), Vilner replaced the

Geneva Preshow: Novitec Rosso Gives the Ferrari 458 Italia 39 More Ponies

Upgrading a Ferrari is a tricky job, but the guys at Novitec Rosso seem to be pretty good at it, judging from their latest interpretation of Ferrari's thoroughbred sportscar, the 458 Italia. The German aftermarket specialists offer a complete package that includes engine tuning, aerodynamic tweaks and styling upgrades, inside and out. The 4.5-liter V8 engine gets an extra 39 horsepower by means

APS Brings 410HP STaSIS Engineering Tuning Kits for Audi S4 to the UK

APS, the UK importer of the Swiss tuning brand Sportec, has turned to North American-based VW specialist, STaSIS Engineering, for its newest project concerning the latest generation of the Audi S4. The STaSIS Signature S4 is available in two flavors, the Touring and the Challenge editions, with both featuring an engine kit that boosts the 3.0-liter supercharged V6's output from 333 bhp and 344

BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]

.fullpost { display: inline; } Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering.

BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]

Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering. BMW said the new exhaust system is

SLP Performance Receives GM's "Blessings" for Tuned 2011 Camaro ZL1

.fullpost { display: inline; } With its 550HP 6.2-liter supercharged V8, the upcoming 2012 Camaro ZL1 is Chevrolet’s wildest pony car yet. However, it won't be available for sale for another year, and here's where SLP Performance steps in. The U.S.-based company is running a ZL1 tuning program for the current 2011 Camaro SS.In regards of the copyright issues for the Z1 nameplate, SLP has

Edo Competition Outdoes Itself with 227mph – 365 km/h Lamborghini Murcielago LP750

.fullpost { display: inline; } Edo Competition’s previous Lamborghini Murcielago LP640-tune was a 710HP monster capable of reaching a top speed of 352 km/h or 219 mph, which apparently made it the fastest and most powerful Murcielago in the world. Now, the German tuner has gone one step further by introducing a 750HP variant that continues on to a maximum velocity of 365 km/h (227 mph).

Edo Competition Outdoes Itself with 227mph – 365 km/h Lamborghini Murcielago LP750

Edo Competition’s previous Lamborghini Murcielago LP640-tune was a 710HP monster capable of reaching a top speed of 352 km/h or 219 mph, which apparently made it the fastest and most powerful Murcielago in the world. Now, the German tuner has gone one step further by introducing a 750HP variant that continues on to a maximum velocity of 365 km/h (227 mph). The other performance figures are

SLP Performance Receives GM's "Blessings" for Tuned 2011 Camaro ZL1

With its 550HP 6.2-liter supercharged V8, the upcoming 2012 Camaro ZL1 is Chevrolet’s wildest pony car yet. However, it won't be available for sale for another year, and here's where SLP Performance steps in. The U.S.-based company is running a ZL1 tuning program for the current 2011 Camaro SS.In regards of the copyright issues for the Z1 nameplate, SLP has shared a press release from GM stating

Hofele Design Turns its Attention on the First-Generation Jaguar XK / XKR

.fullpost { display: inline; } Perhaps best known for its work with models from the Volkswagen Group, Germany's Hofele Design has now revealed a new styling program for the first generation of Jaguar's XK coupe and convertible series built between 1996 and 2005. The tuner's proposal includes an assortment of body pieces such as the very Aston Marton-like shaped front bumper, optional side

SpeedART Goes Extra Wide with New Porsche Cayenne Titan EVO-XL 600

.fullpost { display: inline; } Even though the Essen Motor Show sounds like a more appropriate event for a tuning proposal like the Titan EVO-XL 600, the crew at SpeedART has decided to unveil its latest offering for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne at the Geneva Motor Show this March. If the Cayenne Titan EVO-XL looks familiar, that's because it's wider-body version of the Titan EVO (hence the XL

It Came From eBay Hell: The Geo Storm Pickup You Never Knew You Wanted

.fullpost { display: inline; } Few names in automotive history make the average car enthusiast’s skin crawl like, “Geo”. Geo was General Motors response to the growing number of Japanese and South Korean imports that had invaded the U.S. market. Essentially taking the most boring and insipid models from Suzuki, Toyota and Isuzu and building them stateside, Geo embodied the whole, “Who Gives

It Came From eBay Hell: The Geo Storm Pickup You Never Knew You Wanted

Few names in automotive history make the average car enthusiast’s skin crawl like, “Geo”. Geo was General Motors response to the growing number of Japanese and South Korean imports that had invaded the U.S. market. Essentially taking the most boring and insipid models from Suzuki, Toyota and Isuzu and building them stateside, Geo embodied the whole, “Who Gives A...” attitude that has made GM so

SpeedART Goes Extra Wide with New Porsche Cayenne Titan EVO-XL 600

Even though the Essen Motor Show sounds like a more appropriate event for a tuning proposal like the Titan EVO-XL 600, the crew at SpeedART has decided to unveil its latest offering for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne at the Geneva Motor Show this March. If the Cayenne Titan EVO-XL looks familiar, that's because it's wider-body version of the Titan EVO (hence the XL in the name). The body kit includes