Tuning firms Hamman and H&R have joined forces to create a monster out of the Fiat 500 Abarth with an insane power boost to 275-horsepower.

Beginning with the engine bay, Hamann’s engineers used forged pistons, enhanced connection rods, new camshafts and a modified turbocharger to increase the 1.4-liter petrol unit’s peak output to an impressive 275 hp and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque. That’s 196.4 hp/liter, more than double of what is considered to be an excellent ratio.

An extremely well kept example of Lamborghini’s made-to-order Murcielago LP640 Roadster VERSACE with only 1,211 miles (1,949 km) on the odometer, has surfaced on eBay for an asking price of $635,777 or approximately €467,758 at today’s exchange rates. That’s far less than the car’s original one million dollar price tag.

The American tuning firm Misha Designs has recently released a widebody package for the Mercedes SL. Including several new aero parts, the package consists of a new front bumper, carbon fiber lower lip spoiler, cf diffuser, and trunk spoiler. These improved the aerodynamics, while the guys at Misha decided to make the car wider to look more like the Mercedes-Benz AMG Black Series. This was accomplished with new fenders and widening the quarter panels to merge with the wheel arches. Also, a new bonnet is used in this kit along with carbon fiber vents found in the hood and rear bumper.

There have been several releases so far for the SEMA Show starting this week, but this particular tuning project caught my eye and is based on the Hyundai Equus. This DUB Edition Hyundai looks like a luxury car that could be worth hundreds of thousands, however under all the customizations it is still an affordable Hyundai Equus. It sports a stunning exterior, interior, and even audio modifications from the well-known and exclusive DUB Magazine. The president and co-founder, Myles Kovacs said, “We know that SEMA show-goers look forward to seeing the cool new cars like Equus and the unique ways we customize them. With this car we tried to give tuners an idea of what modifications can be done within the luxury segment.”

Next year we should see the birth of the Gillet Vertigo .5 Spirit, a supercar with amazing styling and Belgian roots. The looks will not be changed much, and the best mod can be found under the hood. The current Alfa Romeo V6 engine will be swapped out with a 4.2-liter V8 from Maserati. Resulting in 420 bhp through the six-speed sequential gearbox to the rear wheels. Now that may not sound like a lot of power, but when you match it up to the Gillet Vertigo that only weighs 990 kg with its carbon fiber design, you have a power to weight ratio matching some of the best exotics out there. However, this is still the factory Maserati engine, and extra tuning can be performed if needed.

Making its debut at this week’s SEMA aftermarket show is Kia’s Forte Koup Type R Concept model, which is said to be inspired by its racing siblings that take part in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

In what is surely a sign of the times, Hyundai will be represented by a slew of customized cars at the 2010 SEMA Show, which runs from November 2 to 5. For the creation of this nicely done example of the 2011 Sonata Turbo, Hyundai teamed up with RIDES and 0-60 magazines. According to the South Korean automaker, the customized Sonata Turbo’s styling was inspired by Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche models.

Chevrolet will use this week’s SEMA show to display two new special edition models and two concept versions of its 2011 Camaro. The new production models are the Camaro Synergy Series and XM Accessories Appearance Package, both of which will be available for order in the 2011.

The Renault Espace MPV is entering the 2011 model year with some subtle updates including the addition of LED daytime running lights and new equipment, as well as a Euro 5 compliant engine range. In the UK, it will be available to order from November 8 and in showrooms from January 2011, priced from £24,495 to £28,495. The cost to upgrade from the Espace to the long-wheelbase Grand Espace is £1,500.

Honda has introduced a new model year version of its British-built Civic Type R Euro in Japan. The 2011MY batch will be the last of this model series to make its way to Japan as production of the current generation three-door Civic Type R has been terminated in Europe because its 2.0-litre VTEC engine does not meet the Euro V emissions regulations.