LAS VEGAS, NV, November 2, 2007 — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) auto show in Las Vegas, NV brings out the best of the best in automotive aftermarket offerings. Each year a team of respected automotive journalists are put to the task to choose the top contenders for the Sony Gran Turismo Awards.
These judges choose the winners of each category based on the criteria of most well-balanced performance, style and speed. This year’s Gran Turismo Award winners are: “Best European Import” Marcel Horn, 2007 Audi TT; “Best Domestic Automobile” Gary Cheney, 2007 Factory Five GTM; “Best Hot Rod” Jim and Mike Ring, 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback; “Best Japanese Import” Michael Chung, 2007 Nissan 350Z; and “Best Truck / SUV” Mike DeFord, 2007 Dodge Ram.
The “Best in Show” award was personally selected from the five category winners by Kazunori Yamauchi, the famed creator of the racing game franchise, and announced at the 2007 Gran Turismo Awards gala hosted by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. on November 1st, at Tryst night club inside the Wynn Hotel & Casino. The party featured an exclusive concert by singer/songwriter, Chris Cornell performing hits from Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, and Audioslave, and an opportunity for guests to test their driving skills on an early version of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue prior to its 2008 release.
“The 2007 Gran Turismo Awards showcases the collaboration between the automotive culture and the gaming industry,” said Kazunori Yamauchi, “We are proud to honour auto enthusiasts for their passion of cars, and to celebrate the automotive lifestyle that Gran Turismo embodies.”
The top award of “Best in Show†went to Marcel Horn, owner of HPA Motorsports Inc. located in Surrey, BC, for his 2007 Audi TT, earning a place in history as their vehicle would be immortalized in a future instalment of the Gran Turismo franchise. This is the second win for Horn’s company whose twin turbo Volkswagen R32 received the top prize at the 2004 SEMA show and is currently featured in Sony’s Gran Turismo 4 game.
“I am so proud of our entire team who were involved in the preparation of this car, and truly honoured to be chosen as “Best in Showâ€. The experience of driving this TT is like being in a video game; the power delivery is so smooth and effortless that before you realize it, you are exceeding 160MPH,†said Marcel Horn.
The winning entry from HPA Motorsports Inc. is a European spec 2007 Audi TT boasting 565hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque through a 3.2L V6 motor with DSG transmission. This custom painted Lamborghini Orange sports coupe is equipped with HPA’s comprehensive twin turbo package, 365mm 8 piston brakes, 19†Moda wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires, adjustable KW coilover suspension, Haldex performance drivetrain, Oettinger body kit, LSD Lamborghini Style Doors, and custom two-toned interior. It will accelerate from 0-60 MPH in 3.5 seconds, and cover a quarter mile in 11.6 seconds.
Photos and text from vwvortex.com
Source: HPA 565hp Audi TT Named “Best In Show†At SEMA
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