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Fancy what happens when you put the Lexus LFA and a Nissan GTR on a test track? This is exactly what the guys at MotorTrend did. Pitting the Lexus LFA against almost compatriot Nissan GTR is sure to throw up interesting results. Amazing results ensue, indeed, we got to see.
What you see here are pictures of the Izaro GT-E, which is expected to roll out on to our streets either as an all-electric car or a hybrid. An absolute super car that is waiting to come, the Izaro GT-E is tipped to come with capabilities that would let it race to 100 km/h in less than four seconds!
Spy cams at Nurburgring seem to be never disappointed. A few pictures of the Lotus Evora S are now splashed across the web even as the car gets set for full load of testing before it formally launches on to one of those stands at the Paris Show on September 30 for a debut.
The Concours d’Elegance had a sneak peek at the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, which is being dubbed as the world’s fastest car. All decked up in blue, the carbon fiber body panels boasted of touching speed levels to the tune of 431.072 km/h. The car has its speed electronically limited to 415 km/h.
The Paris Motor Show will see a new introduction from Peugeot – a new high-rider concept. Though there is not too much available by way of details, reports say that the model is codenamed H1, and is set to be the follow-up to the SR1 concept, which was a Peugeot concept that enjoyed wide critical acclaim.
Early reports say the model will be 4.3 meters (14.1 feet) long and use a diesel hybrid powertrain. Another aspect that most people are looking forward to seeing is how the front end styling of the 2012 Peugeot 208 will be previewed on this concept.
The SR1 featured a HYbrid4 all-wheel drive system which had a 218 PS (160 kW /215 hp) 1.6-liter THP petrol engine powering the front wheels and a 95 PS (70 kW / 94 hp) electric motor motivating the rear. This unique configuration ensured that the sports car had a combined 313 PS (230 kW / 309 hp) and consumed 4.9L/100km (48 mpg US) with 119 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer being emitted.
The second generation Aero, called the Ultimate Aero, from Shelby Sports Cars will be unveiled by the company on August 8th at the Boeing Flight Museum in Seattle. The Ultimate Aero is SSC’s attempt to regain its title of “fastest road car in the world” from current title holder Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.
The Bugatti Veyron had achieved its title after breaking the 255.83 mph record set by the previous model of the Aero called the Ultimate Aero TT. The new Ultimate Aero will require more than the 1,183 hp present in the Aero TT to become faster than the Veyron Super Sport, which has a 1,200 hp-engine and has set a record top speed of 268 mph.
The designer of the new Ultimate Aero, Jason Castriota, will also have to make sure that the design does not cause aerodynamic drag, besides ensuring better power features for the car.
So does the Veyron Super Sport have a reason to be scared? The answer will be revealed on August 8.
The Ferrari annual dealer meeting at Maranello proved to be the venue for the unveiling of the 458 Challenge. The car, based on the 458 Italia, features a modified dual-clutch F1 gearbox, an ‘E-Diff’ electronic differential, and an ‘F1-Trac’ traction control system equipped with settings for wet and dry conditions.
Additionally it has a race suspension (with solid aluminum bushings, stiffer springs, and single-rate dampers), high performance Brembo CCM2 brakes, and 19-inch wheels with Pirelli tires.
The vehicle’s weight has successfully been reduced by thinner body panels, carbon fiber components, and Lexan windows. No details on the specs were given, there is confirmation that the 458 Italia scales in at 1380 kg.
Engine power is from a 4497 cc V8 engine (producing 570 PS (562 hp / 419 kW) and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque). This equipment means that this extremely responsive car laps the Fiorano test circuit in 1 minute, 16.5 seconds – a whole two seconds faster than the F430 Challenge.
Does it get better than this? What we are staring at is the new Ferrari. Or is it? Going by the pictures in front of us, we are tempted to slip into the driver’s seat and do some guesswork as to when this beauty of a machine will arrive for real. By the way, we have just these pictures and we aren’t quite sure as to whether these are indeed real. We are charmed by what we see, but can’t tell you more about the sexy wheels displayed here. On that note, permit us to leave it for you to decide. If you think it’s the new real Ferrari that you would get to see or even drive, dive into these pictures. Indulge! Have fun!
It is almost every hot blooded man’s dream to own a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, but expensive cars come with expensive insurance premiums. Because exotic cars are placed in a high risk category due to their appeal to thieves and incredible cost of repairs, car insurance providers charge a higher rate of insurance premium to compensate.
To illustrate why these premiums are so high, below are a few examples of the most outrageous exotic car insurance claims:
1. Ferrari Enzo: Suleyman Kerimov, businessman and multi-billionaire listed by Forbes as one of the world’s richest people, Suleyman Kerimov bought a luxurious Ferrari Enzo car. When driving the car at extremely high speeds in Nice, he crashed into a tree and totaled the car. The crashed cost $1.2 million.
2. McLaren F1: Known as Mr. Bean from the Mr. Bean British television show and movies, actor Rowan Atkinson has been collecting exotic cars since 1982. Rowan bought the McLaren and used it for the family rides. The speed limit of the car is 240 miles per hour. In 1999, Rowan was driving the car and crashed into a Rover Metro. The car was estimated at $1.2 million US
3. Bugatti Veyron: The exotic Bugatti Veyron is one of the fastest cars and the insurance is very expensive. One of these luxury sports cars crashed in Britain. The crash is believed to be the most expensive individual car crash. It cost 1.6 million bucks.
4. Ferrari 250 GTO: In 2008, an English buyer bought a Ferrari 250 GTO for $28.5 million at an auction which made it the most valuable car in the world. He was involved in a crash and totaled the car. It is the most expensive car crash ever.
5. Bugatti EB110: Valued at $500,000 the Bugatti EB110 is one of the more expensive and powerful fast cars. Famous “feel good” guru Emile Ratelband was the owner of a 1992 Bugatti EB110 and had it in a garage for an annual check-up. A mechanic was test driving it when he claims he hit an oil slick and crashed it into a pole.
6. Mercedes Benz SL 300: The SL 300 “Gullwing” is one of the finest exotic car. An owner of one of these cars valued at about $750,000 decided to race it on the streets of Mexico at the annual “La Carrera Panamericana” race. Unfortunately, he crashed the car at a cost of almost a million dollars
It is always sad when a gorgeous exotic car is damaged in an accident. However, for those who own them, they can greatly afford the costs. Insurance companies, however, probably weep a little when a claim is made for one of these exotic cars.
Spyker is taking C8 Spyder GT2 on a China jaunt. The car, a special edition car, is expected to bring to the fore Chinese design elements in abundance in its looks. Based on the same platform as the Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder, the GT2 will, however, be like the C8 Laviolette LM85 – a street-legal version of the C8 Laviolette GT2R.
Spyker will throw in the LM85′s powertrain into the GT2 and a 4.2-liter V8 sourced from Audi. The engine would be capable of 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque and will be linked up with a Getrag six-speed manual transmission. We are being told that the special edition street legal car could come about as a longer, wider, and more comfortable for the driver vehicle. With China set be the second largest market after the US for Spyker, the decision to lure Chinese comes about as natural. More China specific models are also said to be in the pipeline.
Spyker might bring in the C8 Spyder GT2 right in for an October launch, it is being speculated. Let’s wait and watch to know what’s on the pricing front.
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