Top Marques Monaco is revered as the world’s most exclusive supercar show where you can experience the latest state-of-the-art machines with test drives on the Formula 1 circuit – mere weeks before the famous race takes place. Car afficionados can’t beat the sensation of manoeuvring the Racasse corner in a Koenigsegg Agera R – BBC’s Top Gear Hyper Car of the Year and a Guinness Book of World Records holder. It does a thrilling 0-300 km/h in 14.53 seconds. Nor will they be able to resist the staggering power of the Roding Rodster whose entire chassis is constructed with the highest grade carbon fiber, combined with a BMW 6 in line 320 hp Turbo engine. And best news of all, Top Marques Monaco will launch the world premiere of the stunning, handbuilt Renovatio T 500 from Tushek in Slovenia.

At Top Marques we think our way is the only way to experience a car. The old practice of car shows prohibited the public getting up close and viewing was from behind a velvet rope. At Top Marques visitors can touch and feel the pure power and precision of the supercars; the arresting fumes of petrol ready to burn and the anticipation of powerful engines revving into action in the test drive pits dominate the show.

There are no barriers at Top Marques – except at the VIP bar. No limits on speed. Tick. Though visitors often simply stop and stare. No pesky velvet red ropes protecting the cars. Tick. No parameters curtailing the imagination. Tick. Instead Top Marques is about possibilities that you won’t find anywhere else. It is about visitors getting into the car and behind the wheel. It is about meeting the creators, designers and engineers of these masterpieces. The show’s ethos says it all: See it! Drive it! Buy it!

This exclusive show, now in its ninth year and growing (by 20% this year – with an extra 500m²), is about the extraordinary; it is about supercars in their natural environment – on the Monaco Grand Prix track – allowing you to put machines through the motions before you buy your heart’s desire; Above all Top Marques is a consumer show. Top Marques is not just staggeringly beautiful cars, but also sleekly designed Superboats with cutting-edge design and speed to match and unashamedly attractive, unique and expensive watches. Our “wacky racers” – as the Financial Times quipped about our supercar aficionados in an article this month, can also sea trial in the Med the most stunning power boats, luxury tenders and toys of the water kind with one of our high performance watches on their wrist. The FT goes on to say that “Top Marques is shamelessly aimed at a super-rich clientele”. Thanks to our buyers the car engineers can continue to explore pioneering technology such as electric, to produce cleaner and more efficient vehicles.

 Nothing is more desirable than the confidence one feels as you fit like a glove into the leather bound driving seat and glide along with pure power in your hands in a car, which at any moment can turn your whim into a 0-200 kph flight of fancy. Top Marques Monaco will spearhead the car industry into new territory next month, 19-22th April 2012. Among the supercar manufacturers are Koenigsegg, Pagani, GTA Motor, Tushek Supercar, Noble, Roding Automobile, Savage, Fisker, Soleil Motors, MS Design, Mansory, Gembella, Hamann, Merdad Collection, MTM, DeLavilla, Pace-Insider Cars and Top Car as well as classics like Aston Martin, Ferrari and Jaguar. There is a huge increase in the number of motor bikes being presented this year: DK Motorrad, Greber, Avinton, as well as electric bike from LITO Green Motion.

Visit their website here

The new McLaren Production Centre (MPC) has received significant industry recognition as building architects Foster+Partners, and national planning and design consultancy Terence O’Rourke, were given the award for Best Industrial and Logistics Development by MIPIM at a recent ceremony in Cannes, France.

The MIPIM awards show annual recognition to the most innovative industry projects, with only the most outstanding technical and architectural work making the final selection process.

McLaren Automotive Operations Director Alan Foster said: “Creation of MPC required the high level of vision, innovation and efficiency for which McLaren Group is renowned. I am proud that our partners have been recognised for their role in designing and developing an outstanding manufacturing plant for McLaren Automotive.

“Terence O’Rourke Ltd and Foster+Partners provided specialist skills in building design, landscape architecture, master and town planning and environmental consultancy. We now have a stunning facility in which to produce every future McLaren Automotive sports car.”

A new £40m manufacturing facility, the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) began construction adjacent to the McLaren Technology Centre site in spring 2010, and celebrated its formal opening by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and McLaren Group Chairman Ron Dennis in November 2011. In 2012, MPC is responsible for production of eight MP4-12Cs every day, for distribution to 35 McLaren retailers in 18 countries worldwide.

The 32,000-square metre two-storey MPC is located to the south-east of the McLaren Technology Centre, sharing a common language of details and materials: the new building is clad in aluminium tubes, the rounded corners of its rectilinear plan echo the curves of the MTC and the entrance, echoing the existing building, is a circular glass drum beneath the overhang of the roof canopy.

At just over seven metres high and embedded in the gentle incline of the site, the MPC is sensitive to its rural setting and is not visible from the nearby road.  The extensive planting of trees conceal the building within the green-belt site. The new building is also designed to be sustainable – the McLaren Technology Centre uses the adjacent lake for cooling, so the roof of the MPC will support this system, collecting rainwater to complement a low-energy system that utilises displacement ventilation.

The award-winning MPC was developed in partnership with a small group of specialist companies*, all leaders in their field; Avantgarde (Tiling Design Specialist), Pastorelli (Ceramic Tiles), S. Lucas Group (Applied Finishes and Fit Out), Trimo (Cladding Solutions), Targetti (Light Fittings), and Vizona (Interior Design Fit Out).

With the new McLaren Production Centre fully operational, it is anticipated that McLaren will build up to 4,000 cars across its model range annually by the middle of the decade.

The newest member of the WX lineup is the 8WXv2, offering excellent performance in small enclosures at a price that is within reach of any audio enthusiast.

Like all JL Audio subwoofer drivers, the WX’s are centered on a long excursion, DMA-optimized motor system, supported by our patented Elevated Frame Cooling and a highly linear suspension. This means they deliver lots of low-distortion, high-quality bass with all types of music.

Nominal Diameter: 8 in (200 mm)

Recommended Power Range: 50 – 150 W

Xmax: 0.35 in (8.9 mm) one-way, linear

Impedance: Single 4 ohm

Rec. Sealed Enclosure: 0.375 cu.ft. (10.6 l)

Mounting Depth: 4.28 in (108.7 mm)

Ferrari is debuting two important new cars at the 82nd Geneva International Motor Show: the F12berlinetta, which ushers in the new generation of Prancing Horse V12s, and the Ferrari California which, thanks to constant development, is seen here as a lighter, more powerful version, also available with the Handling Speciale package. The world première of the F12berlinetta adds the finishing flourish to an all-new range of 12- and 8-cylinder models that, in the space of just four years, has achieved the objective of offering different Ferraris for different Ferraristi. New models that match ever-increasing power outputs with greater efficiency with the result that fuel consumption and emissions have been reduced by an impressive 30 per cent. A result achieved through in-depth, 360-degree research into all vehicle systems – engine, aerodynamics, tyres, brakes and ancillaries.

Displayed on the stand in two new colours, Rosso Berlinetta and Aluminium, the F12berlinetta is the most powerful and high performance road-going Ferrari ever. Sporting a new V12 engine, it is built around highly evolved transaxle architecture and features state-of-the-art components and control systems. The F12berlinetta’s aerodynamics have also been honed to the extreme in an innovative design that redefines classic Ferrari themes.

The F12berlinetta’s wheelbase is shorter and its engine, dashboard and seats are lower in the chassis. A new suspension and gearbox layout helped reduce the car’s rear volume. The result is a shorter, lower and narrower car than the previous V12 coupé. The F12berlinetta boasts ideal weight distribution (54% over the rear axle) as well as a lower centre of gravity that is further back in the chassis.

The F12berlinetta’s spaceframe chassis and bodyshell are completely new, and now incorporate no less than 12 different aluminum alloys, some of which have been used for the first time in the automotive sector. New assembly and joining technologies were also adopted in its construction. This has allowed the car’s overall weight to be kept to just 1525 kg and has maximized its performance efficiency with torsional rigidity boosted by 20 per cent.

The new, 200-bar direct-injection 6262cc 65° V12 engine delivers unprecedented performance for a naturally-aspirated 12-cylinder. It punches out a maximum of 740 CV at 8250 rpm, with a specific power output of 118 CV/l and maximum revs of 8700 rpm, record figures for this type of engine. Responsiveness and strong pick-up is guaranteed by maximum torque of 690 Nm, 80 per cent of which is readily available at 2500 rpm.

Exceptional progress has also been made in terms of fuel consumption and emissions which have been cut by 30 per cent – putting the F12berlinetta at the top of the segment with 15/l 100 km and 350 g/km of CO2 respectively.

Aerodynamics play a major role, and a host of innovative solutions have been discreetly integrated in the F12berlinetta’s styling. These include the Aero Bridge which, in a first, uses the bonnet to generate downforce, and Active Brake Cooling, a system that opens guide vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures. The result of these interventions is that the F12berlinetta has the highest overall aerodynamic efficiency of any Ferrari ever built (a value of 1.2, double that of the 599 GTB Fiorano) with downforce of 123 kg at 200 km/h and a Cd of just 0.299. The fruit of the collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina, the F12berlinetta features harmonious and balanced proportions. It is a truly original, innovative coupé with all of the signature features of an authentic Ferrari 12-cylinder. Clothed in sleek, aggressive lines, it offers superb occupant space and comfort despite its relatively compact dimensions.

The rear is characterised by a modern, functional reinterpretation of the Kamm tail which seamlessly integrates the two vertical fences of the rear diffuser. The resulting, original T-shape also incorporates two full-LED circular taillights and the clearly F1-inspired rear fog light.

The F12berlinetta’s technical specifications are completed by the very latest version of the carbon-ceramic braking system (CCM3), a further evolution of the magnetorheological suspension (SCM-E) and the latest development in electronic vehicle control systems (E-diff, ESC, F1-Trac, and highperformance ABS). All controls are integrated in a single, fast-responding CPU featuring new model-specific software.

With a Fiorano lap time of just 1’23’’, 0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.1 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 8.5 s, the F12berlinetta is the most high-performance road car in Ferrari history. Over and above sheer performance, however, it stands out for its nimble and responsive handling and unparalleled driving involvement even at lower speeds, a feature normally the reserve of midrear-engined cars, whether on the track or on the road.

The car’s Frau leather interior is completely new. It highlights the balance of advanced technology – in the form of the Human-Machine Interface which places all controls within easy reach of the driver – and sophisticated, handcrafted detailing, both of which are intrinsic to Ferrari’s DNA. The cabin has been optimised to ensure maximum usability of the interior space with additional luggage capacity behind the seats, which can also be easily reached thanks to the large aperture offered by the tail-gate. On the dashboard are new, carbon-fibre and light alloy air-vents inspired by the aeronautical sector. There is also an optional passenger display for the passenger-side dash.

The other new arrival at Geneva is the Ferrari California which is not only 30 kg lighter but is also more powerful by 30 CV. The version on display at the Show has a Blu Swaters livery with a Grigio Argento Nürburgring roof and a Sabbia interior. Its engine delivers 490 CV while the Scaglietti Centre of Excellence has applied the most advanced aluminium fabrication techniques to improving the chassis, significantly cutting its overall weight. Performance has been enhanced with the 0-100km/h sprint now down to 3.8 seconds. Owners wanting a more dynamic driving experience can also opt for the Handling Speciale package which reduces body roll and speeds up the car’s responsiveness to driver inputs. The package includes magnetorheological dampers controlled by an even faster ECU (-50 per cent response time) running patented Ferrari software.Also included are stiffer springs and a new steering box with a 10 per cent quicker steering ratio.

The two other recent additions to the Prancing Horse stable will also be present on the stand: the FF in Bianco Italia livery and the 458 Spider in Giallo Tristrato. The display is completed by a 458 Italia in a sporty two-tone Rosso Corsa and Nero Daytona livery. The stand also features a special area for clients wishing to make their Ferrari truly unique by availing of the exclusive Tailor-Made programme which offers a selection of materials, colours and finishes that span both the marque’s tradition and history and the very latest trends. The Tailor-Made area will be showcasing an FF with several unusual personalization features, including a new three-layer Grigio Ingrid livery, pinstripe cloth and Testa di Moro semi-aniline leather seats, cashmere headliner and teak-trimmed boot.

ASMA Tuning Program now has a wide body kit available for the Porsche 958 which includes:

• ASMA   Front bumper
• ASMA   Bonnet
• ASMA Fender set r/l
• ASMA Side skirts set r/L
• ASMA Wide body extension set r/l
• ASMA Rear Bumper
• ASMA Rear spoiler

• ASMA Alloy Wheel  

9.5 J x 22 / RA 11.05J x 22                   

(With Tires FA 265/35 R22/RA295/30 R22)

• ASMA Exhaust system

• ASMA Turbo downpipe kit R.- L. (Replaces pre-kat)
• ASMA Front metallic kat R.-
• ASMA Central pipes kit “X-Pipe”
• ASMA  Rear exhaust R.- L. “Racing”
  

Today’s on-line unveiling of the F12berlinetta ushers in a new generation of Ferrari 12-cylinders in the form of a car that delivers unprecedented performance from an exceptional new engine, combined with innovative design that redefines classic themes along with extreme aerodynamics. Revealed to the world for the first time on Ferrari.com in preparation for its official debut at the Geneva International Motor Show, the F12berlinetta, finished in an attractive new Rosso Berlinetta three-layer colour, represents the very cutting-edge of mid-front-engined sports cars. This is, in fact, the most powerful and high-performance Ferrari road car ever launched thanks to the incredibly efficient engine – in terms of mechanical, combustion and fluid-dynamics efficiency – which, together with advanced vehicle architecture, aerodynamics, components and electronic controls, guarantee unsurpassed driving involvement whatever the road or track.

Ferrari’s traditional transaxle layout has been revolutionized to match the more extreme performance of the car. The wheelbase has been shortened and the engine, dashboard and seats have been lowered in the chassis, while the new layout of the rear suspension and gearbox enabled Ferrari’s engineers to make the rear volume of the car smaller. The overall result is a very compact car with a lower center of gravity that is further back in the chassis, and a level of aerodynamic efficiency that sets new standards.

Scaglietti, renowned for its expertise in aluminum materials and construction, designed an all-new space-frame chassis and body shell using 12 different kinds of alloys, some of which have been used here for the first time in the automotive sector, and employing new assembly and joining techniques. This has resulted in a 20 per cent increase in structural rigidity while reducing weight to just 1525 kg (70 kg less than the previous V12 coupé) with an ideal distribution between the axles (54 per cent over the rear).
The F12berlinetta’s 6262cc 65° V12 engine delivers unprecedented performance and revs for a naturally-aspirated 12-cylinder. Its maximum power output is 740 CV which translates to a specific output of 118 CV/l. Torque reaches a peak of 690 Nm, 80 per cent of which is already available at just 2,500 rpm, and which provides an unrelenting surge of acceleration all the way to the 8,700 rpm limit. The engine is mated to the F1 dual-clutch transmission, which has closer gear ratios developed specifically for this car’s performance. The F12berlinetta boasts a weight-to-power ratio of just 2.1 kg/CV .

Fuel consumption has been reduced by 30%, with CO2 emissions of just 350 g/km – figures which put the F12berlinetta at the top of the high-performance league. These results have been obtained by extensive research and development which focused on efficiencies of the whole vehicle: engine, aerodynamics, tyres and weights.

Similarly excellent results have been obtained with the car’s aerodynamic development, thanks to the integration of the design process with extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and lengthy testing in the wind tunnel. Downforce has been boosted by 76 per cent (123 kg at 200 km/h) while drag has been significantly reduced (the Cd is just 0.299). These results come courtesy of two new solutions. The first of these is the Aero Bridge which uses the bonnet to generate downforce by channelling air away from the upper part of the car to its flanks where it interacts with the wake from the wheel wells to decrease drag. The second is Active Brake Cooling, a system that opens guide vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures, again reducing drag.

The F12berlinetta’s impressive technical specifications are completed by Ferrari’s latest generation carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM3) and the evolution of the magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM-E). As is now traditional with all Ferraris, its control systems (E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac, and high-performance ABS) are all fully integrated.

The result is that the new Prancing Horse 12-cylinder accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.5 seconds. It also completes a lap of the Fiorano circuit in 1’23”, faster than any other Ferrari road car. Benchmark performance and maximum driving involvement are guaranteed by immediate turn-in, with smaller steering wheel angles, and increased cornering speed. Stopping distances have also been drastically reduced.

The design of the F12berlinetta is a result of the collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina and is a perfect balance of uncompromising aerodynamics with harmonious proportions interpreting the typical elements of Ferrari’s front-engined V12 cars in an original and innovative way. A coupé with sleek, aggressive lines whose compact exterior dimensions conceal exceptional in-car space and comfort. The all-new Frau leather interior highlights the balance of advanced technology and driver, typical of all Ferraris, the Human Machine Interface approach is emphasized, grouping all the major commands within immediate reach to guarantee maximum ergonomics for the most involving driving experience.sophisticated, handcrafted detailing. In the middle of the light and lean dashboard, there are new carbon fibre and aluminium air vents clearly inspired by the aeronautic field.

The cabin has been optimised to ensure maximum usability of the interior space with additional luggage capacity behind the seats, which can also be easily reached thanks to the large aperture offered by the tail-gate. With the cockpit designed around the driver, typical of all Ferraris, the Human Machine Interface approach is emphasised, grouping all the major commands within immediate reach to guarantee maximum ergonomics for the most involving driving experience.

GTA Motor will launch its GTA Spano definitive version at the Geneva International Motor Show, considered the most important trade fair in Europe and one of the main ones in the world.

As a world exclusive, the definitive version of this supersportcar will be launched, and the first units already being produced will be ready for delivery at the end of this year.

GTA Spano debuted last year at Geneva, had a huge impact and goes to the Swiss trade fair after its most successful participation and its first appearance in the Asian market at Top Marques Macau

The Geneva International Motor Show, which this year celebrates its 82nd edition from 8th to 18th March, welcomed over 750,000 visitors to its last edition and more than 10,000 authorised journalists registered according to official data.

A limited edition of 99 GTA Spano models will be produced. This car accelerates from 0 to 100 Km/h in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of over 350 km/h. Its chassis has been created by combining carbon fibres, titanium and Kevlar, which has become a reference in the automobile sector thanks to its great rigidity and its lightness. GTA Spano has its own V10 engine, which is longitudinally positioned at the rear with 820 HP and a torque of 960 nm.

One of GTA Spano’s main innovations is its panoramic glass roof, which has exclusive interior lighting and an opaqueness system, thus rendering its interior a feeling of generous space.

Mecum Auctions is pleased to announce a two-day auction extravaganza, Texas style! The Largest Collector Car Auction Company rolls into Houston, Texas, for its inaugural event April 13-14, 2012.  The Reliant Center will accommodate over 600 vehicles all conveniently displayed under one roof.

A wide variety of vehicles will cross the auction block; highlights include longtime Houston businessman and collector Sterling McCall offering 25 cars from his “Old Car Museum”, such as a 1931 Cadillac V12 Roadster (Lot S98) and a 1936 Cadillac V16 Sedan (Lot S94). Amos Minter, a well-known Thunderbird collector who also hails from the Lone Star State, will auction an award winning Red/Red 1957 Ford Thunderbird (Lot S117) from his personal collection.

President and CEO Dana Mecum expressed, “Last October our company made its Texas debut in the city of Dallas where we were met with a rollicking response. We recognized that Southeast Texas was also hungry for the Mecum brand of auction action, so naturally we gravitated toward the great city of Houston and are excited to bring our auction experience to The Reliant Center.”

The Houston auction is open to the general public beginning Friday morning and continues through Saturday.  Gates open daily at 8 a.m. Central Time with tickets available at the door for only $15.  Discovery’s Velocity Network will broadcast live from The Reliant Center during both days of action. Don’t get left out in the cold, as the consignments are quickly filling the schedule; if you want to be part of this historic inaugural auction event as a buyer or seller go to www.mecum.com or call 262.275.5050.

The patented Class D output circuitry in the monoblocks has been enhanced to deliver 20% more power than the previous generation amplifiers. On-board signal processing includes a parametric equalizer and highly advanced crossover controls.

The companion four-channel amplifier is the 300/4v3, offering 75W x 4 from JL Audio’s patented Absolute Symmetry Class A/B output stage.

All models feature JL Audio’s R.I.P.S. (Regulated Intelligent Power Supply) technology to maintain consistent power over a wide range of load impedance’s and supply voltages, as well as Advanced Rollback Thermal protection to keep your music playing under the most demanding conditions.

300/4v3

Continuous Power: RMS method, 11-V – 14.4V @ <0.03% THD+N 4 x 75W @ 1.5 – 4 ohms

2 x 150W @ 3-8 ohms (Bridged)

Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 30 kHz (+0, – 1 dB)

Damping Factor: >200 @ 4 ohms

Dimensions (H x W x D): 2.36 x 9.25 x 13.4 in (60 x 235 x 340 mm)

Availability:  First Quarter 2012

Suggested Retail Price:  USD $649.95/each

600/1v3

Continuous Power: RMS method, 11-V – 14.4V @ <0.05% THD+N 600W @ 1.5 – 4 ohms

Frequency Response: 5-250 Hz (+0, – 1 dB)

Damping Factor: >500 @ 4 ohms

Dimensions (H x W x D): 2.36 x 9.25 x 13.4 in (60 x 235 x 340 mm)

Availability:  First Quarter 2012

Suggested Retail Price:  USD $699.95/each

1200/1v3

Continuous Power: RMS method, 11-V – 14.4V @ <0.05% THD+N 1200W @ 1.5 – 4 ohms

Frequency Response: 5-250 Hz (+0, – 1 dB)

Damping Factor: >500 @ 4 ohms

Dimensions (H x W x D): 2.36 x 9.25 x 19.7 in (60 x 235 x 500 mm)

Availability:  Second Quarter 2012

Suggested Retail Price:  USD $1299.95/each