Sunday, December 20, 2009

Middle East Customers get a Bugatti Treat

Bugatti could have chosen no better place than the Dubai Motor Show to celebrate its 100 years of existence, and as a favor to hosting the event, the Middle East natives got lucky with three specific models not to be sold elsewhere. While a couple of products will be one-off models, the Bugatti Nocturne model will have five siblings. The other two models will be the Sang d’Argent and the Grand Sport Soleil de Nuit.

Bugatti Veyron Sang d’Argent special edition

With deliveries beginning in the first quarter of 2010, Nocturne will be the highest priced model at $1.65 million followed by the Soleil de Nuit at $1.55 million and the Sang d’Argent at $1.45 million. Nocturne, the highest priced variant will feature a polished aluminum bonnet well complimented by galvanized side windows and special polished custom rims and aluminum upper body parts at the rear. Magnesium and Platinum dominate the interior of the car. The Sang d’Argent will feature silver metallic paintjob on the outside while the Havana interior will glorify the car on the inside. Last but not least, the Soleil de Nuit is finished in a polished aluminium and Black Blue metallic surface while the bold burnt orange color scheme dominates the interior.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Package by ENCO

ENCO Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 supercar 2

ENCO have been developing a new styling and performance package for the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4. The new package gives you the ability to completely overhaul your car’s exterior by adding carbon fiber components such as a boot cover (for about €3990), a front bumper (€2990) and a front splitter (just €990). But that’s not all you’re getting as this little monster comes with a matte black foil wrap (€3000), more aggressive side skirts (€3990), mirrors and custom boot lid vents (€4000). The package holds some goodies for the car’s interior as well, such as a carbon fiber trim for the steering wheel, new handbrake and dashboard, and new door handles – all for a mere €5000. But if you’re not into looks, only, there’s also a performance package for the 5.2l V10 engine, boosting power to 620 hp and 575 Nm torque.

Spy Pictures: Alfa Romeo Kamal production ready?

alfa_kamal_1

Is it just me or does this look like a vehicle that is very close to production ready? Three spy pictures that were taken by Alfa Romeo employees. I’m sure they’re going to be in a lot of trouble – thanks guys.

It shows that Alfa Romeo Kamal – a SUV from the Italian marque that may or may not be built. What we do know is this thing looks ready to be sold. What we don’t know is if they’re going to sell the Kamal or not.

Guess well have to wait and see.

Mercedes AMG V8 making way for a twin turbo variant

Mercedes-Benz AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine

Mercedes four wheeles that house the naturally aspirated 6.3L V8 unit will have a different variant under the hood, come 2010. The 6.3-liter AMG V8 will make way for a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 engine and the new engine models will start selling in the last quarter of 2010. The official unraveling of the engine will happen at next year’s Paris Motor Show following which the engine will hit the production facility. Mercedes wants to focus on better fuel economy whilst also reducing the emissions however performance is something the brand will not like to sacrifice as that could hurt the sales figures. The naturally aspirated V8 variant renders between 450 and 520hp with 440 lb-ft of torque. As far as the economy goes, the city numbers reflect 12mpg which are bettered on the highway by 7mpg.

Audi A5 Sportback gets the ABT treatment

With less and less new models announced this time of the year, it’s the tuning houses around the globe that have kept the auto freaks entertained. Adding to the excitement is the Abt treatment for the latest Audi A5 Sportback.

Audi A5 Sportback ABT tuning

Dubbed the AS5 kit for the A5 Sportback, the tuning includes a new front grille, rear wing insets, a rear skirt set and diamond cut edition wheels finished in high gloss (18, 19 and 20-inch sizes). Performance being a key for Abt, the engine has been modified to justify a thorough upgrade be it for the 2.0 TFSI variant or the range topping 3.0 TDI ABT Power S. That means that the 2.0 TFSI renders between 180 and 275hp, and 320Nm of torque, while the 3.0L puts out nothing less than 310hp and 610Nm of torque. Neat!

Audi A5 Sportback ABT tuning

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Ferrari F430 Matte Black

Ferrari F430 Scuderia Black Matte

I will probably never afford such a beautiful matte black on a Ferrari F430 or actually any other super car, but this lucky bastard in Geneva does. Spied on the streets this is a Ferrari F430 Scuderia that wears the color, but wait, here is the interesting part. This isn’t a paint job, but an extremely well vinyl wrap. Does the ‘paint treatment’ increase the badass factor? I would say it does, how about you?

Ferrari F430 Scuderia Black Matte Ferrari F430 Scuderia Black Matte

via Autogespot

Ferrari California GT

The official pics of the California GT have been released and soon enough it will be launched at the Paris Motor Show in October. This mid-sized roadster will only be built as a convertible with Ferrari’s first folding hardtop.

Ferrari always being renowned for its power and performance does not disappoint with the California GT with its 4,3 litre direct injection V8 engine producing 460bhp, mounted in the mid-front. This prancing horse can reach 0-100km/h in less than 4 seconds.

Its gearshifts are via a seven speed dual clutch transmission with F1-Trac traction control. It also houses Brembo carbon ceramic brakes which should help to bring this speedy horse to a sudden stop. Also in keeping with the rest of the new generation Ferrari’s, it will be built on an aluminium chassis as well as aluminium body panels.

More details about this car is expected to be releases prior to the Paris Motor Show. In the meantime join in on the Ferrari California GT countdown at www.ferraricalifornia.com

Special Edition Bugatti Veyron at Geneva

Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang

Rumors say that Bugatti is going to come with a special edition of the Veyron at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show. They’ve teamed up with the French saddle maker Hermès to bring back the relationship between Emile Hermès and Ettore Bugatti from the `20s. Considering all these I’d bet my horses that it’s going to be come with a modified interior designed by the Paris based company and some minor exterior mods.

I expect it to sell out in days if not hours after they announce it, just like the Pur Sang.

BMW M3 Race Edition

BMW M3 Race Edition

Where are my pills? I definitely need to take some hear pills right away after seeing the new BMW M3 Race Edition. This Le Mans series eight cylinder baby (can’t call it BMW or car) looks great and I’m drooling already. Built with the help of BMW’s racing division and Rahal Letterman Racing, the M3 Race Editions was presented yesterday in Chicago during the Auto Show.

If the picture is not enough, and if you really wanna cry how about some specs. It’s much more powerful, adding 65 hp getting to a total of 485 hp from the 4 liter aluminum DOHC V8 engine with four valves per cylinder and 368 lb-ft/500 Nm torque.

BMW M3 Race Edition BMW M3 Race Edition

Here is a full list of the new BMW M3 Race Edition specs, but before that, see the two other images above.

BMW P65 Engine

Type: Eight cylinder, V-configuration
Capacity: 3999 cc
Bore x stroke: 92 x 75.2 mm/3.62 x 2.96 in.
Max. output: approx. 485 bhp
Max. torque: approx. 368 lb-ft/500 Nm
Cylinder block: Aluminum cylinder block construction with bed plate lower section
Crankshaft: Steel crankshaft
Pistons: Forged skirt pistons
Conrods: High-performance steel
Cylinder head: Aluminum DOHC (Double Over Head Camshaft); four valves per cylinder
Valve train: Four overhead chain-driven camshafts, valve actuation via rocker arms
Intake system: Eight throttle valves, made of CRP with load-charge optimized ram tubes
Exhaust system: Headers, mufflers
Fuel system: Single cylinder multi-point injection
Lubrication: Dry sump lubrication
Cooling: Water/air cooler and oil/water heat exchanger

Electrics/Electronics

Engine management: BMW Motorsport ECU 408 with two high-performance micro-processors; Individual cylinder injection and ignition; BMW Motorsport Lambda Controller Pit speed limiter, Quick Shift function; Engine data memory system
Energy management: Electric energy management and monitoring with BMW Motorsport POWER400 control unit, networking of all sensors and actuators through bus system
Wiring harness: Weight optimized
Ignition coil: Eight high-performance pencil coils with integrated ignition drivers
Spark plugs: High-performance spark plugs
Cockpit: Free programmable LCD Display with integrated shift indicators
Steering wheel: Quick release multi-function steering wheel w/ integrated display unit

Corvette ZR1 - The American SuperCar

Corvette ZR1 - The American SuperCar

America has a SuperCar, or at least this is what Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper is saying (thinking) after showing to the public the new Corvette ZR1 at the Detroit Auto Show. Corvette is deep inside he blood of every American that needs speed and looks, but the we ZR1 is really business. It comes with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that sports 620 hp and a 823 NM (595 lb/ft) torque, being able to hit the 200mph speed, while the speedometer has a 220 mph on it.

Corvette’s ZR1 basic stats include a manual six-speed gearbox (race hardened), a high capacity dual-disc clutch or larger brake calipers. The design is great, with a raised carbon-fiber hood and carbon fiber panels prominent inside on the fenders, the roof and front splitter. Consider 19-inch or 20-inch chrome wheels and a dark color for the American SuperCar and it’s looking furious.

via WordCarFans

Convertible Maserati GranTurismo in 2009

Supercars never cease to amaze me when released. But what about future supercars? Our sources from Automotive News Europe announced that Maserati is going to offer a convertible version of the GranTurismo coupe, for a whopping price of course, in March 2009.

Maserati GranTurismo

The Italian manufacturer planned to sell 12,000 pieces yearly by 2011 so you can be sure that the new convertible GranTurismo is going to help them. Though it’s expected to hit roads in March 2009, we may get to see it before, maybe in Paris?

One last thing, if you were hoping for a folding hardtop, you may be disappointed, because the new Maserati convertible will use a soft canvas top.

via WindingRoad

9FF GT9 almost breaks world speed record : 409 km/h

9ff GT9

The current world record speed for the fastest production car was set by the SSC Ultimate Aero that topped at 255.83 mph which is 411.71 km/h. Recently the 9FF engineers tried to beat that with their modified GT9 but couldn’t do it. They only managed to make it run at 409 km/h at a track in Papenburg on 10th April.

9FF’s GT9 was based on the Porsche 911 GT3, but lower and longer. The interesting part is that the car has the engine in the middle (not the rear) for better weight distribution. Now that I mentioned the engine, the beast outputs 987 bhp from a 4L flax six twin turbo and a six-speed transmission.
Though they couldn’t beat the world record, 9FF guys can stand proud because they managed to take on the Bugatti Veyron which topped at 407 km/h. The GT9 however, is not as fast as the Veyron : 0 - 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.

via WCF

Update: Renault Laguna Coupe New Image Gallery


This past Saturday, Renault took the occasion of the 61st international film festival in Cannes and the Monaco Grand Prix to present its new Laguna Coupe that will compete against the likes of the Peugeot 407 Coupe and the BMW 3-Series Coupe.

The French carmaker came out today with pictures from the presentation at the Cannes Film Festival along with several images that were shot at the track of the 66th Monaco Grand Prix. In particular, two Laguna Coupes completed several laps of Monaco's legendary circuit in the hands of ING Renault F1 Team test drivers Lucas di Grassi and Romain Grosjean.