America has a SuperCar, or at least this is what Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper is saying (thinking) after showing to the public the new Corvette ZR1 at the Detroit Auto Show. Corvette is deep inside he blood of every American that needs speed and looks, but the we ZR1 is really business. It comes with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that sports 620 hp and a 823 NM (595 lb/ft) torque, being able to hit the 200mph speed, while the speedometer has a 220 mph on it.

Corvette’s ZR1 basic stats include a manual six-speed gearbox (race hardened), a high capacity dual-disc clutch or larger brake calipers. The design is great, with a raised carbon-fiber hood and carbon fiber panels prominent inside on the fenders, the roof and front splitter. Consider 19-inch or 20-inch chrome wheels and a dark color for the American SuperCar and it’s looking furious.

via WordCarFans

“Project Lydia” is the new street-legal car that Bugatti is supposed to work on to make it faster than the Veyron, announced the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. Though it’s just on paper right now, it is supposed to use a 12-cylinder engine that sports some 1,175 hp and tops at 400km/h (248 mph).

And like we wouldn’t have enough Bugatti rumors, “Project Lydia” is supposed to be a mix between racing and design with Bugatti’s characteristic front grille staying, a huge rear spoiler, front air splitter and the extreme lowered chassis and engine positioning. When it comes to performances, they expect a Nurburgring Nordschliefe lap time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds which is 1 minute better then the Veyron.

Here are a two more sketches on how it might look.

“Project Lydia” named after Ettor Bugatti’s wife Lydia, is going to cost a mere 2.5 Million euros and may become the new king of the ring with only 70 (lucky) owners getting their hands on it. I bet the Sheiks are alerted already, because in 2010 we may see it running nicely on those 20-inch big wheels.

Auto Motor und Sport

Audi just released an official video of the new Audi R8 V12 TDI concept, that will be presented during the Detroit Motor Show. It has a supercharged V12 engine that develops 500-hp and 1000 Nm torque, goes up to 300km/h and hits the hundred (100km/h) in 4.2 seconds. If we’re to trust Audi, this diesel engine should have a 10liter/100km mixed fuel consumption, which is great for 500-hp.

The new Audi R8 V12 TDI should be available mid 2009. Here is the official video.

With a new facelifted model 957 Cayenne, Porsche was close to perfection, until the Swiss guys from Rinspeed came with a few “additions”. Apparently the new Rinspeed X-Treme Porsche Cayenne comes with a higher output 600hp motor engine, fins and splitters on those larger front air intakes, 35mm lower thanks to the modified air suspension, all these making it look very “mean”.

With a gapping front, bigger wheel arches and using the company’s sporty quad chrome exhaust, the new Rinspeed X-Treme Cayenne is a great solution if you need both safety and performances. Rinspeed, didn’t mention how they managed to get 600hp, but my thought is that it has something to do with the injection system.

Add to all these the fact that it has large 23-inch wheels with 315/25/R23 tires that can fly you up to 300km/h and I’m drooling already to take it for a test drive.

If you were wondering what would be the next Bond car, the answer is simple, Aston Martin DBS. Aston Martin just signed the contract that would continue their deal with MGM Columbia Pictures to provide James Bond with luxury cars to crash.

So far, Bond’s most famous cars include Aston Martin DB5, DB7, V8 Vintage, V12 Vanquish, Lotus Esprit, BMW Z3, BMW 750iL and BMW Z8.

Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO for the British manufacturer said that:

“Aston Martin is proud of our long association with James Bond. The DBS has its own unique character which equals that of James Bond. It is explosive power in a black tie. It is the perfect car for James Bond as it delivers the complete driving experience and bridges the gap between our road and track cars – the DB9 and DBR9. It is equally at home on a twisting mountain circuit as on the open road and we are all very excited at the prospect of seeing it on the big screen again.”

Aston Martin DBS will be the next star in Bond 22 which is scheduled to be released in November 2008.

via MotorAuthority

The Pagani Zonda F has held the top spot for a power lap on the track of the internationally famous BBC motoring show, Top Gear. Unfortunately it was toppled by the Koenigsegg CCX (with Top Gear spoiler) and the Zonda F had made its home at the number 2 spot for awhile. Many supercars have tried to beat these two but failed, with only the T1 Caparo succeeding and then only to be thrown off the record by Jeremy Clarkson as they have not provided a car with a road going adjustable suspension. So the Pagani continued to live in its number 2 spot.

Although very impressive, this has not stopped Pagani from improving. They have released a Zonda F Clubsport edition. Power is up from from the 443kW Zonda F to 502 kW for the F Clubsport. The company promises a 3.5 second sprint to 100 km/h, a top speed of over 345 km/h depending on the set up and it will be the queen in braking from 300 km/h to 0.

Strangely though when the word Nurburgring comes to mind, the natural tendacy is to think that the Bugatti Veyron as the production car king. Despite all the myths about lap times at the Norschleife it’s the Zonda F Clubsport that now holds the record for the fastest lap by any production super car, lapping the 21km ring in 7 minutes 27.82 seconds, beating the previous record holder, the Porsche Carrera GT. It seems raw top speed is no substitute for superior handling.

So if Top Gear gets hold of this model before the new Koensigsegg CCXR or the revised street legal T1 Caparo, there might be strong possibility that the Zonda F CS could regain the top spot even if its for a short while. After all it is “king of the ring”.

Now I’m having a dilemma. I don’t know if I should choose a Bugatti Veyron or this beautiful Hennessey Venom GT which still a project to be released in 2009. Not that I would have the money to pay for it but it’s just that I can’t decide which is better. The Venom GT is powered by a Dodge Viper V10 8.4-liter engine that can sport 1,000 hp, allows you to choose from a manual six-speed gearbox or a sequential transmission and only weighs 1,225kg. Math is really easy this time, with a 1.225kg/hp ratio and that’s great.

If you need to see how fast this baby is going to be how does 2.5 seconds for to reach 100km/h? How about 14seconds for 300km/h? Would that impress your “co-pilot”? You’ll have to agree with me, if this is how it’s going to look Bugatti Veyron has a very good competitor.

via LuxuryLaunches

The market is full of Bugatti Veyron rumors with new models rendered but nothing real. However, our sources today have just announced they have inside people that confirmed the new Bugatti Veyron Targa -the topless Bugatti – is already live and running (they’re probably testing it) with sales starting next year.

We all know that a Veyron can reach 400km/h but this is not going to happen with Veyron Targa because it will be limited to 340km/h, but don’t worry this convertible will put a lot eyes on you if you drive it. One small drawback: ýou can’t take the Targa panel with you when you drive open.
Rumors say that Bugatti ordered 400 engines and that all orders have already been filled out.

Let’s see if this rumor confirms.
via AutoGeSpot