08:52 | Posted in , , , ,
NOVITEC Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Ferrari-Like TuLesto Supercar

Famed Deutsch tuner of all Prancing Horse models, Novitec Rosso, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the creation of an extremely limited production supercar that will be built in a mere 11 units called TuLesto - now you know why we prefer that German makers stick to alphanumeric names. In its official release, Novitec Ross makes no mention to Ferrari but we cannot help but notice the similarities in the design with the F430. Still, it remains to be seen if the TuLesto is actually based on the Italian supercar.

The TuLesto's chassis and the integrated safety cell are made entirely from aluminum, helping keep the weight low. According to Novitec Rosso, the extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum construction results to a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.62 kg/hp.

Novitec Rosso TuLesto - CarscoopThe TuLesto is powered by a mid-mounted 4.4-liter dual-supercharged V8 engine producing 777HP at 8,200 rpm and a peak torque of 727 Nm at 6,300 rpm, launching the car from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in less than 3.4 seconds and to 300km/h or 187mph after just 22.6 seconds. The supercar's top speed is said to be in excess of 350 km/h or 218mph.

Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a six-speed semi-automatic gearbox with carbon-fiber paddles behind the steering wheel and an integrated anti-slip differential An adjustable traction control system with launch control is also included in the package.

The TuLesto features double-wishbone suspension front and rear, height-adjustable struts with various selectable damping rates, and adjustable sway bars plus a system that allows the front to be raised 40mm at the push of a button to help the car tackle everyday situations like parking ramps.

Novitec Rosso TuLesto - CarscoopStopping power is provided by an anti-lock braking system that features ceramic composite discs and six-piston fixed calipers front and back.

Measuring 4,620mm in length, 2,040mm in width and 1,220mm in height, the TuLesta is slightly bigger than the F430 (4,512mm, 1,923mm and 1,214mm respectively). The design of the sports car is the result of a cooperation between NOVITEC and the Italian design studio Luca Serafini Stile in Modena.

There are no photos of the supercar's interior but Novitec Rosso claims that the cabin has a "decidedly sporty nature but also offers creature comforts such as a climate-control system and a high-end sound system".

Via: Autoblog.it

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08:51 | Posted in , ,
Special Edition Alfa Romeo MiTo RIAR goes on Sale

Earlier this year, Alfa Romeo announced that in celebration of the 46th anniversary of the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo or 'RIAR' for short, it would launch a special edition version of the MiTo that would be produced in a mere 46 examples for the members of the international club. RIAR has now started to accept orders from its members for the limited run MiTo that is powered by a 155HP 1.4-liter Turbo engine.

Priced at €20,000, the MiTo RIAR is finished in black with matching head light and tail lamp surroundings as well as dark 17-inch alloy wheels similar in design to those fitted on the 8c Competizione. Other features include the red brake callipers, a roof spoiler and the restyled rear bumper.

Inside, the MiTo RIAR gets the full leather treatment as well as a carbon-fiber look plastics for the upper part of the dashboard and numerous 'RIAR' badges with the production number of the car.

Link: RIAR






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03:25 | Posted in

Ferrari 599XX: New Track-Focused Version with 700HP V12

The Geneva Motor Show saw the world premiere of the Ferrari 599XX, an extreme track-focused version of the Prancing Horse's two-seater GT. Destined to replace the FXX, Ferrari said that it will be organizing a programme of dedicated track events for the 599XX in 2010/2011. Since the car was conceived exclusively for track but not official competition use, Ferrari was not restricted either by homologation limitations or regulatory restrictions during the 599XX's development.

Ferrari 599XX Starting with the powertrain, the firm's engineers carried out extensive work on the V12 engine's combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts. These modifications, combined with the fact that internal attrition has been reduced and the maximum revs have been boosted to a whopping 9,000 rpm, helped achieve the target power output of 700 hp at 9,000 rpm. As for the transmission, a new gearbox shift strategy cuts overall gear-change times to just 60 ms.

The 599's handling has been improved thanks to the adoption of a second generation SCM suspension system while the new racing carbon ceramic braking system promises to deliver shorter braking distances. The track-focused 599XX is equipped with a set of split-rim wheels shod in slick tires.

As you can see in the photos below, the 599XX features a full aerodynamic bodykit that helps produce an amazing 280 kg of downforce at 200 km/h or 125mph (630 kg at 300 km/h or 187mph) according to Ferrari.

And if you're wondering what all these changes sum up to, we'll just tell you that Ferrari claims that the 599XX lapped the Fiorano race track in 1 minute and 17 seconds, or 1 second faster than the Enzo-based FXX.

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03:23 | Posted in

Land Rover gets Government Grant to Build Range Rover LRX

The UK Government has offered a grant of up to £27 million ($37.4 million) to help the Jaguar-Land Rover Group develop the production version of the LRX small SUV first shown in Detroit last year. It should be noted that the grant is from a separate scheme to the £2.3bn support package that the UK government is currently negotiating with automakers. Land Rover, which is now owned by India's Tata Motors, said that the Government's grant is an important contribution towards the overall £400 million cost of the LRX project.

"We welcome the Government's support for this project, which would form a key part of our future product plans and which we very much want to put into production," said Phil Popham, Managing Director of Land Rover. The company is due to make a final decision on the go-ahead of the LRX project at its plant in Halewood, on Merseyside, later this year.

The British automaker also revealed that while the LRX concept was shown as a Land Rover, the production version will go on sale wearing a Range Rover badge. The new small SUV is expected to share many components with the Freelander including the SUV's four-wheel drive system.




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03:21 | Posted in

Ferrari Delivers 1000th Car in Hong Kong on Junk Ship

To mark the occasion of the delivery of its 1000th car in Hong Kong, Ferrari organized a special ceremony at the Victoria Harbor yesterday (March 10, 2009). In what is believed to be a 'first' for any automotive company in Hong Kong, Ferrari presented the new 612 Scaglietti 'One-To-One' to its Hong Kong owner, Mr Didier Li, on board 'Huan', a Chinese Junk ship - for the record, that's how these sailling vessels are called.

True to its elitist nature, Ferrari summoned more than 65 international media from Hong Kong, Macau and the adjacent markets to report the event. The Italian firm delivered its first model to a Hong Kong customer in the early 1960's. In 2008, Ferrari sold 115 cars in Hong Kong. That's compared to 433 cars delivered to clients in Japan the same period, an increase of 15%, while more than 200 cars were delivered in China for the first time, an increase of 20% on 2007 to 212 units.



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03:20 | Posted in

Porsche Releases UK Pricing for Panamera GT

Porsche has announced UK prices for its new Panamera gran turismo ahead of its market launch on 12 September 2009. The four-door sports saloon will be priced from £72,266 and £77,269 for the 4.8-liter V8-powered 400HP Panamera S and 4S models respectively and £95,298 for the top of the range Panamera Turbo that gets standard four-wheel drive and a 500HP twin-tubrocharged 4.8-liter V8 engine. By comparison, BMW's M5 saloon starts from £65,325 in the UK while the Audi RS6 sedan, from £74,550.

The rear-wheel drive Panamera S is offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard while the seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch transmission is available as an option for £2,289. The Panamera 4S and Turbo have four-wheel drive and feature the PDK gearbox as standard.

All models come with standard full leather interior, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Bi-Xenon headlights, rear ParkAssist, tyre pressure monitoring, automatic dimming rear view mirrors, Porsche Communication Management with touch-screen satellite navigation and audio controls, and a Bluetooth telephone module – complete with cordless handset for use by rear seat passengers.

Also standard on all Panamera models is the 'Sport' button, which increases throttle pedal responsiveness, selects the 'Sport' suspension setting on the PASM, and the shift patterns of the PDK transmission, where fitted. Offered in combination with PDK is the new Porsche Auto Start/Stop function.

The Panamera S and 4S have 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, with a choice of 19-inch and 20-inch alternatives available, while the Panamera Turbo rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.

In 2010, Porsche will expand the Panamera's line-up with the addition of an entry level V6 petrol engine with 300HP as well as a V6-powered Hybrid version.



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Power

Torque

0-62mph*

Top speed*

Combined

UK mpg*

Panamera S
4.8-litre V8

400bhp

500Nm

5.4 secs

176mph

26.2

Panamera 4S
4.8-litre V8

400bhp

500Nm

5.0 secs

175mph

25.4

Panamera Turbo 4.8-litre V8
twin-turbo

500bhp

700Nm

4.2 secs

188mph

23.2

*all performance data refers to cars with PDK transmission

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03:18 | Posted in

MINI Cooper S Clubman with Airstream Trailer Concept

Airstream, the oldest and one of the most recognized recreational vehicle manufacturers in the world has teamed up with MINI to create a one-off Cooper S Clubman with a trailer that will be presented for the first time at the INTERNI DESIGN ENERGIES exhibition in Milan that runs from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 30 April. The Clubman and Aistream trailer's interior have been designed by Republic of Fritz Hansen, a Copenhagen based premium furniture brand.

Amongst others, the Airstream trailer's interior will feature a new interpretations of Arne Jacobsen's Egg and Swan Chair and a table set up with four unique Series Seven chairs.

On the outside, the MINI Cooper S Clubman and the 22ft Airstream trailer enjoy the same exterior details including newly designed five spoke alloy wheels and lime-green pin stripping.

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