The Audi TT RS 2.5 TSI may only have just been released, but tuners have already began work on the most potent version of the German sports car that is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine delivering 340HP and 450Nm of torque. One of the first kits available for the TT RS comes from MCCHIP that has retuned the 2.5 TSI’s ECU for a total output of 380HP and 550Nm of torque.

The San Diego Comic-Con, a comic book and popular arts convention, saw the release of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition model. But despite the buzz, the real-life Bumblebee is a huge letdown as the Transformers edition is virtually nothing more than a simple logo package. Forget about the Z28 bumper and hood treatment or the unique alloy wheels used on Bumblebee in the Transformers movie.

In a recent interview with Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir, Alfons Dintner, head of Audi’s Brussels plant, confirmed that the factory will start series production of the new Audi A1 mini in October. Dinter said that the German automaker will close the plant in August for five weeks in order to prepare for production of the A1 which will begin to arrive at Audi’s European showrooms in the beginning of 2010.

If the report on German magazine Sportauto is true and rally legend and Porsche test driver, Walter Röhrl, did indeed lap the Nordschleife track in 7 minutes and 56 seconds with the new Panamera Turbo, then there goes Cadillac’s claim for having the fastest sedan on the block. We remind you that the 556HP CTS-V’s 7:59.32 run of the Nurburgring Nordschleife in May 2008, was thought to be the fastest-ever lap time for a production sedan.

The ‘evergreen’ Panda 4×4 Adventure is the latest addition to the range of Fiat’s small off-road model. Available for order across Europe, the new series that comes with an automatic four-wheel drive system is offered with a choice of a 1.2-liter petrol engine with 60 horsepower and a 1.3 Multijet16V diesel that makes 70 horsepower. Prices in Italy start from €14,100 ($19,750 US) for the petrol model and from €16,000 ($22,400 US) for the diesel – now that’s what we’d call an ‘adventurous’ price range.

German tuning firm Cobra Technology and Lifestyle (also known as Cobra N+) has released a new sport package for buyers of the Nissan 370Z Coupe. The carbon fiber aero kit for the Japanese coupe includes a front spoiler, exterior mirror covers and a rear diffuser insert with openings for the two 120-mm tailpipes of the Cobra N+ sport exhaust system. Interior upgrades are limited to carbon-fiber-look scuff plates.

A new entry-level diesel is available for both the Audi Q5 SUV and the A4 allroad quattro crossover while the Q5 also gets a new base gasoline unit in the form of the 2.0 TSI. The diesel engine is a 2.0-liter TDI with common rail high-pressure injection that produces 143HP and a maximum torque of 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. The base 2.0-liter TSI makes 180HP and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque from 1,500 to 3,900 rpm. Both engines are linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The subtly modded M3 comes with selected black accessories that includes 18-inch HRE alloy wheels shod in 275/35 R18 Nitto rubber all around and a Vorsteiner front lip spoiler and rear diffuser, which seem to work pretty well with the Dakar Yellow paint job.

The Japanese market version of the Mazda5 MPV, which continues to be named Premacy, has received a small number of upgrades for the 2010 model year. In particular, the range topping 20Z model grade comes with newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels and fresh seat and door trims while Mazda also introduced the Dark Plum Mica exterior finish pictured on the Premacy above.

If there’s one thing that Audi A5 owners shouldn’t be complaining about, is the lack of variety in tuning proposals. It’s got to the point where tuners like Senner are introducing one package after the other. The German firm’s latest offerings include a new styling package with various options for both the interior and exterior that can be combined with a kit for the 3.0-liter TDI diesel engine that lifts output to 300HP and 600Nm for a top speed of 280km/h or 174mph.