Fast cars and speed cars

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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*all performance data refers to cars with PDK transmission

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.

The first example of Audi's track-only R8 LMS with chassis number '101' has been delivered to its lucky owner in Italy. Overall, twelve units of the 500hp+GT3 sports car will be delivered during the forthcoming weeks to six customer teams that plan to race in five European GT3 championships as well as in the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring for which Audi Sport has developed an endurance version of the R8 LMS

In addition to the three- and five-door hatchbacks, coupe, convertible and quite possibly, Shooting Brake, SAV (three-door version of the X1 SUV) and Gran Turismo (something in the likes of the 5-Series PAS) variants of the next-generation 1-Series that's due in 2011, Car Magazine claims that BMW is also readying an M division-prepped Supersport model. While it won't carry the M1 badge because of the synergies created with the firm's iconic mid-engined supercar of the 70s, the Supersport model is exactly that; an M version of the 1-Series Coupe.

In an attempt to draw the attention of buyers searching for used hybrids, Toyota USA has created a new used-vehicle certification program for the brand's hybrid models like the Prius, Camry and Highlander. On top of Toyota Certified's 160-point quality assurance inspection, the extras for the hybrid program include 14 additional points that include the hybrid vehicle electronic control unit and the hybrid vehicle battery.

Talented illustrator Jon Sibal has crafted yet another rendering, this time depicting the forthcoming 2010 BMW 5-Series sedan that is due to be revealed late next year. As well as using styling cues from the 5 Series-based Gran Turismo concept that was shown in Geneva, Jon Sibal also took into consideration a couple of supposedly leaked photos of the new 5er, including one of the car's front bumper.

Lamborghini has released official photographs of the limited edition Murcielago LP 650-4 Roadster that we first got the chance to see through a set of leaked presentations sheets just before the Geneva Motor Show. To be produced in a limited run of just 50 units, the Roadster version of the Murcielago comes with permanent four-wheel drive and is powered by an uprated 6.5-litre V12 engine producing 650HP (+10HP) and 660 Nm (486.8 lbs) of torque - hence the model's LP 650-4 moniker.