1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder

Is this the best looking Ferrari ever made? It’s certainly one of the most expensive; in fact, this is the most expensive car ever to be sold on eBay, at a ridiculous $3.26 million. There’s not too much to say about this car, purely because, well, look at it; have you ever seen such a beautiful and perfect car?

It’s hard to describe just how visually appealing the 250 GT is, but one buyer clearly thought their $3.26 million in the bank was due for some action, and subsequently bought one of the most praised and rare Ferraris ever made.

Thank you to Louis Rix, Marketing Director and automotive enthusiast at Netcars.com, the UK’s fastest-growing used car classified website, for contributing this great Top 10 list.

Via: toptenz.net

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Mercedes-Benz GLA Compact SUV

 Mercedes-Benz has released the first official photos and technical details of the compact Crossover GLA. The car is based on the new A-class introduced as a concept version, and will debut at the Shanghai Motor Show on 21 April. After camouflaged prototypes Mercedes unveiled GLA in all its glory. First impressions are that the future rival of the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 looks very powerful and impressive.
Although the German manufacturer insists that it is a concept, there is no doubt that the future production model is going to be very slightly different from the vehicles that we see in these photos.

The GLA retains only the basic stylistic features of the platform of the hatchback. In addition to increased distance from the ground GLA has large 20 inch alloy wheels. Mercedes is raised front part of the more pronounced grille and reshaped hood. Two parallel lines on the door crossover resemble more to CLA than the A class.

The lower parts of the vehicle on its front and rear as well as side skirts are covered with massive shielding. These elements are most prominent in the back where the supplement for body protection extends almost to the bottom edge of the tailgate and includes two large trapeziodne exhaust. On the roof are discreetly integrated roof bars in which are mounted two LED lights. The interior of Mercedes crossover resembles the A class, and in the cabin dominate materials from brown leather. Mercedes GLA is 4.38 m long, 1.97 m wide and 1.57 m high, which makes it slightly larger than an A-class, while the wheelbase of 2.69m is identical to the hatchback.

Crossover is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine borrowed from the model A250, which develops 211 hp. The engine that sends power to all four wheels via 4MATIC system is connected to seven-speed automatic transmission with double clutch. Future production models will have other petrol or diesel power units. About AMG version for now is just speculates, but if it comes to it, it’s probably be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine with 360 hp from A45 AMG and AMG CLA45.
According to available information, we will not wait long for the production version.

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Lamborghini Pregunta on Sale for $2.1 Million

 Throughout its history, Lamborghini has envisioned and presented a variety of concept cars, beginning in 1963 with the very first Lamborghini prototype, the 350GTV. Other famous models include Bertone’s 1967 Marzal, 1974 Bravo, and 1980 Athon, Chrysler’s 1987 Portofino, the Italdesign-styled Cala from 1995, the Zagato-built Raptor from 1996, and Lamborghini Pregunta from 1998.

Nowdays the exotic car dealer from France, Paris Autodrome, has offered Lamborghini Pregunda for $2.1 milion. Designed by Italian Studio Heuliez-Torino Pregunta had its premiere in 1998 at the Paris Motor Show, as the base was used Lamborghini Diablo.

Pregunta features AWD system. It is powered by a 5.7 liter V12 with 530HP (390 kW) and 580Nm (428 lb-ft) of torque. No words about acceleration, but the top speed is 207 mph. The car boasts cameras, instead of rear view mirrors, internal fiber optic lightning, F1-type fully electronic instruments, four-point Schrott harness and Dassault stealth external paint

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2014 Maserati Ghibli to Feature a Diesel Engine

Maserati has released the first pictures and technical details of the new luxury sedan, model Ghibli.Ghibli is designed as a smaller version of the Quattroporte, which have its premiere in 2013.Although the new Maserati coupe 4-door with its silhouette reminiscent of the Quattroporte, except in size, the two models differ in stylistic details. The biggest difference is in the design of the front and rear of the car. Ghibli has more pronounced headlights and more prominent grille, giving the car a sportier and more dynamic look.

Compared to the Quattroporte, the lower part of the bumper and a wide air hole has a simpler form. There are different in brake lights, and the form of exhaust pipe (at Ghibli they are round, and in the Quattroporte trapezoid) and Ghibli has a simplified design of the tailgate.

Preliminary information on the powertrains are saying that the offer will be two versions of the 3.0-liter V6 turbo gasoline engine, and the first time in the history of Maserati a car of this brand will be powered by a diesel engine, also three-liter V6 turbo unit. All three engines will be linked to eight speed automatic transmission, while the default transmit power to the rear wheels.

More technical details about the engines and cars peformances can be expected after the official premiere of the Ghibli, which is scheduled for the Motor Show in Shanghai from 21-29. April 2013. The Maserati say that Ghibli will be an important model in achieving the long-term goal of the producers, and that is its annual sales reach 50,000 cars.

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Hatsune Miku BMW mascotifies a classic

 Everyone on the planet knows how crazy the Japanese are for mascots and all things cute and anime/manga. However, there are times when this craze for fictional animated characters ruins gems that us in the rest of the world hold dear. The Hatsune Miku version of the BMW Z4 GT3 created by TeamUKYO in collaboration with GSR & Studie is one such nerdy custom job that makes us cringe with pain every time we look at it.


Even though we are more than glad the customizers didn’t actually bestow a bunch of mythical abilities to the car using gadgetry we can only find in Japan, we are actually quite mortified to find the classic car covered in a full body paint that features a bunch of vocaloid symbols and images.

The nerdy vehicle is rightfully called “Itasha” which is a Japanese word that roughly and rightfully translates into “pain mobile”. Even though the description is a warning enough for anyone susceptible to seizures to stay away from this monstrosity, the Tokyo BMW Group Studio has given it the go ahead and the vehicle will in fact participate in the 2012 edition of the GT300.

The BMW Group Studio will display the Hatsune Miku BMW at their Tokyo-based showroom till December 13 though the makers of this thing intend on making it commercially available to interested customers. No word on pricing and availability for the vehicle has been provided at the moment by the makers of this outrageous vehicle.

The company has also not provided any information on whether customers would be able to order vehicles with additional images, slogan and mascot paint or not though if you are passionate enough about it you may be able to get a few of your favorite vocaloid imagery on there as well.

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Audi Gentleman's Racer Concept could be a high flyer’s ultimate fantasy

When a vehicle is called “The Gentleman’s Racer”, one tends to begin to have certain expectations about it. The expectations about such a product surge even higher when we are presented with a name like the "Audi Gentleman's Racer Concept". This marvelous new concept comes to us courtesy of freelance Swedish designer Mikael Lugnegård which uses the old school silhouette of the classic American hot rods and combines it with the technology found in a contemporary Audi vehicle to create a vehicle that is simply retrolicious.

Using the neat and clinical lines, the concept recreates the authenticity and simplicity of hand built classic Audi coaches. The car's front end is dominated by a massive single frame grille which is actually derived from the current Audi grille design. The carbon fiber bodywork boasts of a smooth, sculpted shape that is conducive to racing and comes with an Ohlins-sourced racing suspension system to maintain the vehicle’s high performance. Powerful Brembo brakes provide stopping power to the vehicle which is fashioned around a lightweight aluminum spaceframe chassis.

The Audi Gentleman's Racer concept is designed to use the Audi R8 V10’s powertrain including the 525 bhp 5.2 liter V10 engine. The designer hasn’t given a full list of the specification that he would want to see featured in the retro futuristic vehicle just yet. The rear wheel driven concept gets a rather Spartan interior with a purposeful vibe being provided to the cabin via alcantara leather, aluminum and carbon fiber bits. Lugnegard says that the concept is aimed at a very exclusive, high class buyer who wants to ride around in a modern vehicle which is still classy enough in the traditional manner and emits a vibe of being historically relevant at the same time as well.

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Lamborghini 350 GTV : 1963

After the presentation of the first prototype thanks to Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, the 350 GTV was mass-produced a year later.

Before the end of 1966 Carrozzeria Touring had made 120 models, the majority with 3.5 litre 12-cylinder engine and 320 HP – another 23 models were added to these, already using the 4-litre V12 engine and 320 HP, but with more torque and more comfortable to drive. Two 350 GT were built by Carrozzeria Touring in the Spyder version.
Specifications.
Year of manufacture: 1964 – 1966
Engine: V 12 – 3.5-litre displacement
Power: 320 HP
Max. speed: 250 km/h
Number of pieces: 120 / 23 with 400 GT engine
(source: Lamborghini)

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Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider : 1963

The Alfa Romeo 2600 (series 106) was Alfa Romeo´s six-cylinder flagship produced from 1961 to 1968. It was the successor to the Alfa Romeo 2000.


It has become historically significant as the last Alfa Romeo to have been fitted with an inline six-cylinder engine having twin overhead camshafts. That had been the traditional Alfa Romeo engine configuration since the 1920s, but gave way to four-cylinder engines as the factory oriented its production towards more economical mass-produced car models after the Second World War.

The 2600 was introduced in the 1962 Geneva Motor Show, as a sedan with a factory-built body (2600 Berlina), a two-plus-two seater convertible with body by Carrozzeria Touring (2600 Spider), and a coupe with a body by Bertone (2600 Sprint).

A convertible based on the Sprint coupe was shown by Bertone in 1963. It was also named 2600 Sprint, but did not enter production. The 2600 SZ (Sprint Zagato) with fastback coupe bodywork by Zagato, and the limited-edition 2600 De Luxe with six-window sedan bodywork by OSI (Officine Stampaggi Industriale) were introduced three years later in 1965 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

From a sales point of view, the 2600 models were not a success, despite deserved acclaim for that excellent engine. The poor sales were not only due to the elevated prices of the 2600 models. The cars did not compare well to contemporary products, including those of Alfa Romeo themselves.
The 2600 Spider had styling which was seen to be derivative of that of its smaller stablemate, the Giulietta Spider: certainly handsome, but lacking the smaller car's grace and balance.

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Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio

Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio 

 

The Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio concept was the other prancing horse to draw big crowds on the opening day of the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The other of course being the all-new LaFerrari supercar. The concept was developed independently of Ferrari by Pininfarina -Ferrari’s go-to design firm, and it’s based on a 458 Spider.

The Pininfarina Sergio concept is named after the man who headed up Pininfarina for 40 years, and helped develop numerous cars for Ferrari. The Sergio is a two-seat barchetta which is pared-back and lightened-up when compared to the 458 Spider. There’s no roof, no windscreen, no side windows and only a roll over bar to protect the occupants. Pininfarina have also gone to the trouble of designing a couple of custom made matching helmets for the driver and passenger.

Powering the Pininfarina Sergio concept is a 570 horsepower 4.5 litre V8. The performance specs are virtually identical to the 458 Spider, with the 0-62 mph dash taking 3.4 seconds and the top speed arriving at 199 mph.

“My father would be proud of this concept car”, said Chairman Paolo Pininfarina, “because it expresses the aesthetic values that always inspired him: the purity of the lines, the harmony of form, and balance. Furthermore, he would be happy with this latest concept on Ferrari base, a brand to which we are related by a history that has helped define the most beautiful cars of all time in an evolution that has lasted 60 years and shows no sign of ending”.

Pininfarina say that while the Sergio is just a concept for now, the fact it’s based on a readily available production car means it could be manufactured for special clients on request
Source: Pininfarina

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Ferrari LaFerrari

The LaFerrari marks the first time Ferrari has used a hybrid system in a production road car. Derived from the KERS system used in Ferrari’s F1 cars, the hybrid drivetrain of the LaFerrari uses a 789 horsepower 6.3 litre V12 engine backed up by a 160 horsepower electric motor. That’s a combined total of 949 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. The high torque levels provided by the electric motor at low rpms allowed Ferrari’s engineers to optimise the V12′s performance at higher revs. The result is a car which can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in under three seconds and continue on to a 205 mph top speed.

The body of the LaFerrari employs a number of active aerodynamic features designed to improve downforce, efficiency, handling and stability. Computer analysis and fine tuning in the wind tunnel has resulted in a car with one of the highest levels of aerodynamic efficiency in the world. Active aerodynamic devices front and rear generate downforce when needed without compromising the car’s overall drag coefficient. These devices deploy automatically on the basis of a number of different performance parameters which are monitored in real time by the car’s dynamic vehicle controls.

 

On the inside the Ferrari LaFerrari is both stylish and functional. The seat is fixed and tailored to the driver while both the pedal box and steering wheel are adjustable. The driving position is similar to that of a single-seater and was designed with input from Ferrari’s F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. A newly-designed steering wheel host all the major controls, and the gear-shift paddles are now longer and more ergonomic. Exposed carbon fiber and suede cover almost ever surface giving the interior a distinctly race-car like feel.

Oh and getting back to that dumb name. This is what Ferrari’s President, Luca di Montezemolo had to say on the matter: “We chose to call this model LaFerrari because it is the maximum expression of what defines our company – excellence.”
Well that’s cleared that up then.

Ferrari LaFerrari Specifications:

Engine: 6.2 litre V12 789 horsepower
Electric motor: 16o horsepower
Transmission: 7-Speed DCT
Suspension Front/Rear: Double wishbones/multi-link
Tires Front/Rear: Pirelli P-Zero 265/30/R19 -  345/30/R20
Brakes: Brembo carbon ceramic
Length: 4702 mm
Width: 1992 mm
Height: 1116 mm
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
Weight distribution: 41% front / 59 % rear

Source: Ferrari

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mercedes-benz G63 AMG 6x6

Originally designed for use in a military context, mercedes-benz have announced they will be implementing a 6x6
all-wheel drive to their high-performance AMG G-class line - making it the company's second most expensive
model behind the SLS electric.

despite weighing almost 4000kg, and being equipped with standard 37 inch wheels, the AMG G63 SUV is fitted
with a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8, boasting 536 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque bringing it from
0-100 km/h (62mph) in just over 6 seconds. a 7-speed automatic gear-box and five locking differentials give full

 

ride control - where compressor tanks for its tire inflation system give the vehicle the ability to travel in any conditions,
regardless of the terrain. unlike military cockpits, the G63 is adorned in typical AMG fashion - with full alcalantra
leather interiors, heavily contoured sport seats and a spacious rear passenger cabin.

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Lamborghini Veneno

Lamborghini is all set to make a splash at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, which opens its doors this week. Their headline act is this, the bonkers Lamborghini Veneno. It’s based on an Aventador chassis, has a 6.5 litre V12 engine which churns out 740 horsepower, it can catapult itself to 62 mph (100 km/h) in under 3 seconds, and can hit a 220 mph top speed.

But perhaps the most astonishing thing about the Veneno is its price, $4.6 million (£3.1). But as ususual Lamborghini hasn’t had a problem shifting the cars. Only three will be made, and already all of them are spoken for. Interestingly the three cars come with three different highlighting colors, one red, one white and one green – the colors of the Italian flag.

The Veneno was built to commemorate Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary. It’s covered from top to bottom in carbon fiber bodywork which looks like it was inspired by a surgeon’s scalpel. The numerous intakes and spoilers, including that massive rear wing, are all designed to provide as much downforce as possible to make the car a bit of a track weapon. It is road legal though.
But that price. Wow. For the same money you could literally have 10 Lamborghini Aventadors! Is a spikey new body and 40 extra horsepower really worth that much more? In a word… No.
And just in case you were wondering, Veneno means Venom in Spanish.

Source: Lamborghini

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Mazzanti EVANTRA V8

Mazzanti automobili is proud to present the official images of the new Evantra V8. The carbon fiber composite body of the Evantra V8 is characterized by the new rear wing and the series of inserts realized in carbon fiber, or brushed aluminium. Inside a new chrome-molibden rollcage is positioned under the roof while another one connects the new engine to the rear suspension hard-points, this way enchancing the structural stiffness of the chassis and in the same time helps protecting the occupants. The Evantra's "mechanical heart" is an aluminium V8, naturally aspirated 7.0 L. which is capable of developing 701 Hp @ 6600 rpm and 848 Nm @ 4500 rpm. The engine has a compression ratio of 11.0, a dry sump lubrification system, and valves, connecting rods in titanium. The performance of the Evantra V8 equipped with a 6-speed sequential gearbox arrives up to the maximum velocity of over 350 Km/h with an acceleration of 0-100 in 3.2 seconds.

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Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2

 

Bertone will be making an appearance at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next month, and they’ll be bringing along a one-off shooting brake version of the Aston Martin Rapide as part of the celebrations surrounding the British manufacturer’s 100 year anniversay. The car was commissioned by a private collector, who no doubt had to fork over an eye-watering sum of money for Bertone’s bespoke services.

Bertone has some history when it comes to shooting brake Aston Martins. In fact they’ve been at it since the ’60s and the DB4 GT Bertone Jet. However the Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2 is more akin to a 2004 Bertone creation, the Aston Martin Jet 2 concept – which was based on a V12 Vanquish.

The Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2 is mechanically identical to the outgoing Rapide, and that means under the hood is a 470 horsepower 5.9 litre V12. Interestingly it’s not based on the new 550 horsepower Aston Martin Rapide S. But I doubt with all the new sheetmetal and fancy interior trim anybody will notice the missing 80 HP.
On the inside the Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2 still features four individual seats, but now it has added practicality due to the fact the rear pair can be folded down and hidden away by an electronically controlled sliding cover to create a spacious cargo area.

Source: Bertone

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Aston Martin Twenty Twenty

The rear of the Aston Martin Twenty Twenty (from the doors back) is more appealing with more conservative use of bare aluminium.

Powering the car was a 6.0 litre V12 from the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage. In the Twenty Twenty it was tuned to produce around 500 horsepower.

 

The Aston Martin Twenty Twenty concept from 2001 was designed by Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro of ItalDesign.

The fully-functioning concept car was intended as a vision for a convertible Aston Martin sports car for the year 2020. Thankfully Aston Martin's current styling trend is headed in a completely different direction to the Twenty Twenty concept.

The brushed aluminium highlighting lines which adorn the Aston Martin Twenty Twenty are an original design feature. However their overuse (especially around the front) gives the concept an unusual, almost comical appearance from some angles. The grille surround almost looks like lipstick.

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Gemballa-tuned McLaren 12C Spider

While the 2013 Geneva Motor Show’s main attractions will most certainly be the selection of futuristic concept cars and all-new production cars, there will also be some delicious-looking modified cars on display. On of them will be this, the Gemballa GT Spider, which is quite obviously based on a McLaren 12C Spider.

Gemballa’s real bread and butter comes from modifying Porsche models. In fact, throughout their 32 history Gemballa have only tinkered with a handful of models from other manufacturers. McLaren have now joined that exclusive club.

Gemballa’s upgrades are unfortunately limited to cosmetic stuff. The most significant of which is the new carbon fiber bodywork, which consists of a new front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper. 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rear wheels round out the exterior modifications.
For the interior Gemballa offer a range customisation options including leather upholstery in a range of different colors, and a color coded instrument panel and gauges.
The price for Gemballa’s services? 47,166 EUR – that works out at around $62,500. And that’s a lot of money for something that doesn’t get from A to B any quicker than the standard car.

Source: Gemballa

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Alfa Romeo Gloria

 

Alfa Romeo, in cooperation with European Design Institute (IED), will be unveiling a new concept car at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Named "Gloria," the new concept is an attempt in combining sports spirit and Italian style in a sedan specially designed for the American and Asian markets.

The concept is 4,700 mm (185.03 inches) long, 1,920 mm (75.59 inches) wide, 1,320 mm (51.96) high and has been built on a 2,900 mm (114.17) wheelbase. The most striking elements of the new Gloria concept include its three-dimensional hood and the leather strips on the rearmost part of the hood. The concept has been designed to fit a V6 or V8 bi-turbo engine. The unit that will be displayed in Geneva will be offered with a set of 20-inch wheels designed by OZ Racing.

The new Gloria was designed by 20 students from Italy and other countries, and will be presented in a 1-to-4 scale. Also, for the Geneva Show, the concept will be reproduced on the iPad in a virtual environment, so visitors can choose between five models of rims and five body colors.

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