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Archive for the ‘Super cars’ Category

The red fury: Ferrari 599 GTO

April 11th, 2010

Shteph

This red beast is derived from Ferrari’s 599XX race car and it represents the most outrageous version of the two-seater 599, being actually a toned-down racing car that’s been homologated for road use, hence why it has been given the classic Gran Turismo Omologata moniker.

By no coincidence, just 599 units wil be built, each powered by an uprated version of the Enzo-derived 6.0-litre V12 engine. Power is up from 612bhp to 661bhp, while weight goes down from 1,690kg to 1,605kg, allowing the GTO to sprint from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds – 0.3 seconds faster than before – and hit a top speed in excess of 208mph. Absolute madness! (more…)

Posted in Ferrari, Super cars

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Hennessey’s V700 Cadillac is just crazy!

March 27th, 2010

Shteph

Driving a Cadillac supercharged CTS-V will let nobody unimpressed! The thrill of 556 horsepower paired with 551 pound-feet of torque make it a monster. Then comes Hennessey and extract the most of the CTS-V. John’s calling it the Hennessey V700 and, as you might have ascertained, it’s a Cadillac CTS-V pumped up on the best auto-steroids available in the Houston area. One crank of the fake key and your ears quickly explain that the gnashing, metal-on-metal-on-lava sounds leaking out from beneath the floor pan don’t come from some run-of-the-mill super-Cadillac. No, something special is going on under that thar tortured hood. Viciously special. (more…)

Posted in Cadillac, Super cars, Tuning

Tags: hennessey cadillac cts-v700

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Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept: Black beauty

March 17th, 2010

Shteph

Remember Bugatti’s 16C Galibier concept? Unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt show to a very select audience, the “four-door Veyron” remains a concept for now, but new images have surfaced showing the Galibier in black, looking much sleeker than the initial car which had a two-tone blue and mirror like aluminium finishing.

Black allows us to focus more on the 8.0-litre W16 powered Galibier’s interesting detailing and body shape. The chrome strip that starts from the base of the A-pillar wraps around the doors and continues after the front wheels to make a loop with the other side, only interrupted by the imposing grille. The sloping rear sports four exhaust tips on each side and a spine brake light that divides the rear screen. This spine runs the length of the car – it looks like a fish when seen from the top. (more…)

Posted in Bugatti, Super cars

Tags: 8.0 l W16 engine, Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept

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Audi R8 Spyder becomes even wilder in the hands of Abt Sportsline

March 16th, 2010

Shteph

Whenever Audi introduces a new model, chances are that the folks at Abt Sportsline are going to get their hands on one. The German company has been tuning Volkswagens and Audis since the 1970s and has enjoyed success racing the Audi A4 in DTM and more recently the new R8 LMS. Needless to say, Abt knows how to properly modify cars bearing the four rings.

Abt’s latest project is the droptop version of the Audi R8. Visually the car gets a new front grille, front fascia with carbon fiber spoiler, side sills, rear fascia, rear spoiler and lightweight five-spoke wheels. Even more importantly, the 5.2-liter V10 has been massaged to provide 600 horsepower, good for 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. Finally, Abt provides a sport suspension system for improved handling. (more…)

Posted in Audi, Super cars, Tuning

Tags: Abt Sportsline, Audi R8 Spyder, Tuning

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Geneva report: the unexpected Porsche 918 Spyder

March 6th, 2010

Shteph

Porsche 918 Spyder concept was something unexpected to be revealed in Geneva. The Stuttgart based sportscar maker, now under the Volkswagen umbrella, was very protective of its “sports car for the 21st century”, sports car which is a superlative at almost every aspect: 500 bhp V8 with 9,200 rpm redline, 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, faster around Nurburgring than the Carrera GT, capable of 33.3 km/l. As you can see from the pictures, they erected a barrier, well guarded by big Germans so that no one could get too close to the show stopper.

Posted in Auto Shows, Porsche, Super cars

Tags: Geneva report, Porsche 918 Spyder, super sports car

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Alfa Romeo Pandion by Bertone is simply heavenly!

March 6th, 2010

Shteph

After a two year absence from the international scene, Bertone returns with a bang by unveiling one of the most memorable cars of this year’s Geneva show – the Pandion concept, as a tribute to Alfa Romeo’s 100-year anniversary and also a proposal for the future look of the brand.

The first car penned by Mike Robinson in his new role as Design and Brand Director at Bertone, the Pandion is named after the Pandion Haliaetus, a scientific name for the Osprey sea hawk. And it’s this bird’s wings that inspired the Pandion’s most striking feature – those spectacular doors that open upwards to the air. They incorporate the car’s front and rear fenders and stand exactly 90 degrees straight from the centre of the rear wheels. In the event of a rollover, the doors are designed to fall off for easy exit, says Bertone. (more…)

Posted in Alfa Romeo, Auto Shows, Concept Cars, Special, Super cars

Tags: Alfa Romeo concept car, Alfa Romeo Pandion, Betone

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French carmaker + tailor + men magazine = gorgeous concept

March 6th, 2010

Shteph

What happens when a French carmaker teams up with a top men’s magazine and a prestigious tailor house? Well…gorgeous concept cars are born! GQbyCITROËN took the French sexyness, appealingness of GQ men and Savile Row tailors style. And judging by the GQbyCITROËN concept, the fashionable fellas know a few things about svelte car design, as well. The GQbyCITROËN concept is a collaboration between Dylan Jones, GQ’s editor, and Mark Lloyd, a British designer who is most recently credited for the new Citroën DS3. Makes sense, then, that GQ and Citroën are branding this concept as “the ultimate gentleman’s drive.”

The GQbyCITROËN rides on the values of the classic GT theme, and designer Lloyd thought a proper grand tourer was much more suited to the GQ style, saying: (more…)

Posted in Citroen, Concept Cars, Special, Super cars

Tags: Citroen concept cars, QC

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Geneva 2010 Report: Maserati GranTurismo MC Sport

March 5th, 2010

Shteph

First thing that comes to my mind is that GranTurismo is the finest transition/combination between sportiness and elegance. For those of you who are looking for something that errs a little more towards the former the Trident marque has launched the MC Sport Line.

One step off the track and onto the road this side of a race-spec MC GT4, the MC Sport line gives Gran Turismo S buyers a catalog of optional extras, from carbon fiber bits all the way up to the exclusive limited edition model made for the Middle East. The range was initially unveiled at the local Bologna Motor Show, but here is the real deal and on-spot photos.

Posted in Auto Shows, Maserati, Super cars

Tags: Geneva report, Maserati GranTurismo MC Sport

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I.DE.A Institut Sofia puts the woman in the car

March 4th, 2010

Shteph

It seems that women are part of your (misoginist) life, whether you like it or not, and now, they’re even messing up with your most astonishigly-looking cars: they inspire the carmakers with their curves and humps. Not that they haven’t been doing it for the last century…

Created by the quizzically-abbreviated I.DE.A. Institute, the Sofia’s hourglass shape is inspired by the female form. And we don’t have much trouble believing that line, curvaceous as it is. The hybrid part, though, is pure fantasy. Because like many design studies, the I.DE.A. Sofia is an empty body shell. It’s got no interior, but more to the point, it has no mechanicals inside. Its creators say it could theoretically accommodate a V8 engine, with or without the assistance of an electric motor, driving either the front wheels or the rear.

Like it? Don’t get too excited by the prospect of production. The I.DE.A Institute claims to have contributed to designs for numerous major automakers, but in its 30-year history has produced more household appliances and furniture. But for the next upstart looking to join the likes of Fisker and Tesla, the sumptuous shape could be just the ticket.

Posted in Concept Cars, Super cars

Tags: Concept Cars, I.DE.A Institut Sofia concept

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Abt R8 GTR: carbon-fiber hottie

March 4th, 2010

Shteph

We got our first peek at Abt’s R8 GTR late last year, but like with many cars, it was a whole different experience to see it in person. To say carbon fiber has been used liberally is an understatement, as the entire car is clothed in the lightweight material. The look suits the R8, and Abt has managed to give the car a more aggressive look without going overboard. The interior is lathered in carbon fiber as well, and lightweight Recaro racing seats help reduce weight even further. In total, Abt has managed to take 220 pounds off the Audi R8’s heft. (more…)

Posted in Audi, Super cars

Tags: Abt Audi R8 GTR, carbon fiber

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Geneva 2010 Report: Koenigsegg Agera

March 2nd, 2010

Shteph

Introduced to the world at large at 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the Swedish rocket has wowed enthusiasts for the past five years. Designed to stay ahead of the hypercar curve, the Agera can be thought of as an evolution of the CCX. If the previous Koenigsegg had any flaw, it was its slabby looks. The Agera changes that, with a much more sculpted, almost pinched front end. We find it much more attractive than the CCX, but taste is a personal thing, so… Other design highlights include the wheels that generate a vortex in order to better suck hot air away from the brakes. You’ve also got the oval doughnut taillights, the doughnut part meaning that hot air escapes the engine bay via holes in the taillights. (more…)

Posted in Koenigsegg, Super cars

Tags: Geneva report, Koenigsegg Agera, Swedish cars

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G-Power Storm, the overpriced tuned BMW 760i

February 24th, 2010

Shteph

The BMW 760i and its long-wheelbase sibling, the 760iL received a tuning kit by G-Power, simply called the Storm. G-Power’s latest achievement will be produced in a limited run of just 10 units worldwide and it promises to bring the rain on other tuning proposals like the 500HP Alpina B7.

Starting with the engine, G-Power’s technicians fiddled around with the 6.0-liter V12 bi-turbochargers increasing maximum boost pressure from 0.5 bar to 0.9 bar. They also recalibrated the ECU, added larger injection valves and created an entirely new exhaust system. The result is a maximum output of 725 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 1,000Nm or 738 lb-ft from 2,000 rpm, up from the stock engine’s 544HP and 750Nm or 553 lb-ft. (more…)

Posted in BMW, Super cars, Tuning

Tags: BMW 760i, G-Power tuning, Storm, tuned BMW

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Bentley Continental GTC SuperSports is their daddy!

February 23rd, 2010

Shteph

This Phaeton-based Continental has got it all: carbon fiber, E85 flex-fuel capability, a thick skin HP figure, stylish drop-top body, comfort, best quality materials to the interior, 200 mph top speed and the Bentley logo on its nose. I’ll point the key features before dropping the price, cause this is Bentley style. Compare it with the catwalk models: astonishing looks, really teasing, rudely expensive to take on a date. Well, Bentleys are like taking to a date a whole issue of Vogue. (more…)

Posted in Bentley, Super cars

Tags: Bentley, GTC SuperSports

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Audi RS5 leaked images

February 21st, 2010

Shteph

Aparently Audi didn’t want to share images of its long-time rumoured RS versions of A5, but it seems nothing in this world can be kept secret. Leaked images of Audi RS5 have come to our attention to delight our sight and to make pur imagination go wild. However, we don’t have much information about this sleek coupe, but some parties have said that the RS5 will be powered by a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 with around 450bhp and 450 Nm.

Apart from the red line set at about 8200 rpm, that indicates a peppery mill, we learned from the brochure that there’s a lack of a manual option; Audi’s S-tronic auto transmission is pictured here. Options will include three types of front seats and four wheel designs.

Until full details offered at Geneva, hit the link and enjoy the pics.

(more…)

Posted in Audi, Auto Shows, Super cars

Tags: A5, Audi, Audi coupe, RS5

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