All About Car's: June 2008

Ferrari 430 Scuderia Novitec Rosso

Making the world’s best sports cars even faster, more powerful and more individual is the specialty of NOVITEC ROSSO. The world’s leading tuner for the cars from Maranello now also offers a sophisticated tuning program for the new lightweight-design model Ferrari 430 Scuderia. At the heart is the NOVITEC ROSSO Supersport Bi-Kompressor engine that bumps power output from standard 510 hp/375 kW to 717 hp/527 kW and increases top speed from 198 to 216 mph.

There is no such thing as a too powerful sports car. The NOVITEC ROSSO specialists have developed a special twin-supercharger version of the Scuderia’s four-valve eight-cylinder engine.

Engine
Power bhp: 510
Torque nm: 722
Type: V8 Twin Supercharged

Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph: 3.5 Seconds
Top Speed: 216 mph

Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir

If you're thinking about dropping $1.5 million on a set of wheels, would a special edition really tip the scales one way or another? Well, Bugatti evidently thinks so. After having produced the Pur Sang and the Fbg par Hermès editions, the ultra-premium auto marque revealed the Sang Noir last month.

Now, after disgruntled U.S. buyers lost out on the opportunity to buy the Pur Sang when it sold out to an invited group of European customers in Paris, Bugatti has announced that its American clientele will get first crack at the limited run of 15 Sang Noir Veyrons before they're offered elsewhere in the world. And who said holding American citizenship isn't worth what it used to be?

New Seat Ibiza Sport-Coupe (SC) Details & Photos

Within few months of the Seat Ibiza five-door's international debut, the Spanish automaker is back with the stylish Ibiza SportCoupé. It is the three-door variant of the new SEAT Ibiza and is due to make its first public appearance at the upcoming 2008 British Motor Show in London. Targeted specifically towards sports-orientated supermini buyers, the SportCoupé's 1.6-liter (105 PS) powerplant will be offered with a seven-speed DSG double-clutch gearbox. It is expected to go on sale in UK before the end of this year.

Checkout Seat's official press release for the new Ibiza SportCoupé and some of its high resolution photos below.

Press Release.
Hot on the heels of the smart SEAT Ibiza five-door's international debut, the dynamic Spanish car maker is today revealing its stunning new Ibiza SportCoupé.

With two fewer doors and an even more svelte shape than its stylish five-door supermini sibling, the sassy SportCoupé is tailored very clearly towards drivers keen to mix fun and functionality with a head-turning shape.

The SportCoupé's bespoke silhouette – at 1,428 mm it is 17 mm lower than the five-door with a markedly different and more aggressive design treatment throughout – clearly signals the sporting intentions of the latest addition to the new Ibiza family.

And that dedication to driving excitement is underlined by the newcomer's technical highlights which include the option of cutting edge seven-speed DSG double clutch gearbox technology – a world first for the supermini segment.

The ultra slick-shifting automatic/sequential manual 'box will be available on 105 PS 1.6-litre versions of the new car, while crisp handling and a composed ride are assured courtesy of the Ibiza SC's all-new supermini platform – the first application of this particular engineering base in the Volkswagen Group.

There's also a different interpretation of designer Luc Donckerwolke's 'Arrow Design', with lowered headlights and repositioned radiator grille serving to reinforce the muscular new motor's obvious kerb appeal.

Precise engine and trim combos have yet to be confirmed, although it's already clear that more potent FR and Cupra versions of the new Ibiza will certainly sport SC styling when they make their debuts over the coming months.

SEAT Head of Marketing, Steve Robertson, said of the important addition to the new Ibiza family: 'Traditionally, a significant part of our business has been built on the success of three-door Ibiza, so the unveiling of this stunning new SportCoupé is a key moment for us.

'I know our existing Ibiza owners, as well as sports-orientated supermini buyers generally, will be thrilled at what they see. Personally, I can't wait to see the new Ibiza SC on the road here in the UK!'

Source: Seat
Read More On: Cars From Seat

Photo Gallery: New 2009 Model Seat Ibiza SportCoupe Pictures.

Teaser Photo: Upcoming 2010 Lotus Eagle Sneak Preview

Lotus is gearing up for July 22 world debut of it Project Eagle, a mid-engined 2+2 Lotus sports car at the British Motor Show. This event would mark the first significant launch by Lotus in past 13 years. The photo that you see here of a black sheet drapped car with its headlights and fog lamps lit is what we think to be the sneak preview of upcoming Eagle. And this picture has been released in preparation for the Lotus diamond (60th) anniversary celebration that will be held in September.

The unlike the earlier Eagle spy photos & video, this preview photo doesn't reveal much about the looks of the car except for the shape and placement of front lights. But one thing is quite clear, the camo makes the car's front-end look like one big smile but we imagine it hides a very aggressive looking 'Eagle' underneath.

Going into production at the beginning of 2009 as a 2010 model, Project Eagle will enter the market as Lotus' flagship performance car above the Elise, Exige and Europa. Based on an all-new aluminum chassis that's set to underpin the forthcoming Esprit supercar, the Eagle is rumored to be powered by the modified version of 3.3 and 3.5-litre V6 Toyota engines.

Lotus has already confirmed that unlike the current Elise/Exige family, the larger Eagle will have a hydraulic assist system for the steering rack and would use the Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) that consists mainly of bonded aluminum extrusions.

Mike Kimberley CEO of Group Lotus had earlier said: "This is a very exciting period for us at Lotus and the whole company is enjoying the challenge of delivering such an exceptional new Lotus car... we are proving that the new Lotus is a reality and that VVA is an advanced ecological technology from which further Lotus models will be produced, thus giving Lotus a true "multi-platform" line up over the next 5 years".

We are expecting that the new 2010 Lotus Eagle will debut in UK with a price tag of around £45,000. Now don't get too serious about the number, its just an estimate.

Source: Lotus60thAnniversary
Read More On: Lotus Eagle

2009 Nissan GT-R To Hit US Showrooms This July, 70% Already Booked

From July 7th, Nissan will begin the delivery of new 2009 GT-R's first batch to the 671 GT-R Certified Nissan dealers in USA. More than 1,700 of the exotic 480-horsepower GT-R supercars, or approximately 70 percent of the first year allocation for the United States market, have already been spoken for since the order books opened in last January.

The base model of the fifth-generation GT-R comes with a price tag of $69,850 while the GT-R Premium model goes for $71,900 plus the $1,000 for destination and handling costs. Car comes equipped with a standard 480-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine and advanced 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

All new 2009 Nissan GT-R has been holding the record for the fastest lap time of 7 minutes 29 seconds achieved by a production-spec vehicle at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife. But two days back this lap-record was broken by the GM's upcoming 2009 Corvette ZR1. Its has managed to set a faster laptime of 7:26.4. But please don't get us wrong as we are not trying to compare the two cars, nor can they be compared. Why?, because Corvette ZR1 is a 640Hp supercar that costs $103,300 which is almost twice the cost of GT-R and comes with 160 more horses. They are both supercars but in a different league. And we suppose that a sportscar’s Nurburgring lap-time shouldn't be a factor in your car buying decision if you won't be frequently hitting the Ring.

"After years of speculation and anticipation, the wait for a U.S.-spec Nissan GT-R is over," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "GT-R is one supercar that more than lives up to its promise, with independent testing by the leading auto enthusiasts magazines and online sites producing performance results that only a handful of production cars have ever attained – much less at a $70,000 MSRP."

Mr Castignetti you just hit the bulls-eye.

Source: Nissan
Read More On: Nissan GT-R

Ferrari also makes watches

The Ferrari Jumbo has a titanium case and Swiss-made ETA quartz chrono movement. It is particularly suitable to sporting and leisure use, however, as it offers a choice of stopwatch and counter buttons.
At Ferrari, accurate time-keeping is main priority because even a 10th of a second can make all the difference out there on the track. That's why the Ferrari Jumbo takes its inspiration from the world of motor racing and the Scuderia Ferrari's activities. To underscore this link, the Ferrari Jumbo watch comes in a special rubber presentation case shaped to resemble an F1 tyre. This original touch, of course, makes the watch something of a collector's item too.It is priced around 292 euros (Exclusive of Vat)

Ferrari also makes watches

Alfa Romeo Launch Prodrive Tuned Brera S For UK

There is soon going to be a new sports car on the block, developed specifically for roads in Britain. Alfa Romeo is planning for the new, limited edition Alfa Brera S with a hand from Prodrive, the world-leading motorsport specialist. Alfa says the engineers worked intensively for a year on suspension and chassis development and the result is a sports coupe that subtly enhances all that is good about the original Alfa Brera, while giving it crisp driver feedback & handling.

Distinctly different from the rest of the line-up, this unique addition to Alfa Romeo's UK range includes refined styling changes, inside and out. And to ensure ultimate exclusivity, production of the Alfa Brera S will be limited to just 500 individually numbered models. Power comes from a choice of two existing direct injection petrol engines – the 185 bhp 2.2 JTS and the 260 bhp 3.2 V6 JTS.

For the record, the 2.2 JTS and 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Brera S can reach 62 mph from rest in 8.6 and 7.0 seconds respectively, on the way to maximum speeds of 139 and 155 mph.

To reduce roll and pitch and achieve an even flatter cornering attitude, Prodrive commissioned bespoke Eibach coil springs and Bilstein dampers. Spring rates are increased by over 50 per cent compared to the standard Alfa Brera, giving the car a more nimble and agile feel, while the specially tuned gas-filled mono-tube dampers give tighter body control. To further enhance suspension geometry and achieve lower centre of gravity, the cars have been lowered by 10 mm front and rear.

At each corner of the Alfa Brera S, unique Alfa 8C Competizione-inspired, lightweight 19" alloy wheels and Pirelli PZero Nero tyres have been fitted. The Prodrive stamped exhaust comes finished with chrome embellishers and has been altered to mirror the shape of the rear lights. The list continues with the Prodrive branded front stone deflectors, and a bespoke red 'S' or 'SV6' on the C-pillar.

Inside the 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Brera S, changes are more obvious. Not only are the sports seats upholstered in soft black Frau® leather with red stitching, so are the dashboard fascia, door panels, steering wheel and gearlever. Foot pedals are fashioned from drilled aluminium and the headrest recess houses a limited edition Brera S aluminium plate, featuring the flags of Italy and Britain. This interior can also be specified on the 2.2 JTS version.

The transition from Alfa Brera to Brera S takes place at Alfa Romeo UK's dedicated import centre, near Bristol, and is overseen by Prodrive.

Source: TheyReviewed
Read More On: Alfa Romeo

Photo Gallery: Alpha Romeo's Limited Edition Prodrive Brera S High-Res Wallpaper Pictures.