Italian Cars

LaFerrari only after purchase F12 Berlinetta

2013-08-07T06:08:00.000-07:00

Buyer from the Philippines was forced to first purchase Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, to be able to qualify for buying a top model LaFerrari.

Ferrari LaFerrari the auto show in Geneva 2013th

How Philippine Top Gear says, the sole distributor of Ferrari car brand in this country, the company Autostrada Motore, stated that the model of LaFerrari can be order only by "special Ferrari clients." According to one of the representatives of the distributor, people who can order this Ferrari model must have in its garage at least 5 cars with the Prancing Horse emblem. Since by purchasing model F12 Berlinetta anonymous Filipino formally qualify to purchase LaFerrari is expected that he will be allowed by the Italian manufacturer, to became one of owners of the 499 copies that will ever be available on the market, with the appropriate fee, which amounts to approximately 1.3 million euros. Purchased Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is the first such car in the Philippines, and the owner of it had to set aside 32.9 million pesos (about 568,000 Euros).

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento from Kyrgyzstan

2013-08-06T06:00:00.002-07:00

Although the title sounds exotic, a design studio in the Central Asian country seriously approached the task of creating a replica of the Sesto Elemento. A copy of Lamborghini's chassis is based on a Volvo model from 1982., in addition to the body of the plastic materials were used and some parts from other cars, like alloy wheels from BMW X5:

As its creators from the studio New Format from Kyrgyzstan said, the replica has the same dimensions as the Sesto Elemento concept, and as a guideline for development are used drafts of this car from the internet. The car may not be a top achievement in making copies of expensive models, but we must commend the hard work of its creators. With this video presentation publishing, we assume that this Lambo are made legal, as opposed to the recently seized copies of Ferrari's cars in Spain. From "New Format Studio" we don't heard whether they intend to sell this Lamborghini replica and how much it could cost. Original Sesto Elemento, which by Lamborghini announcements will be produced in a limited edition of 20 copies and will be priced around 2 million euros. Read more about the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento.

For sale part of the Ferrari history

2013-06-06T13:10:00.001-07:00

When the news appeared in the media on the sale of vehicles belonging to the history of Ferrari, everyone is always first think of a classic car from Maranello. This time it is about a different four-wheeler. In offer of specialized website Memento Exclusives, which sells souvenirs and a variety of other items for Formula 1 fans, we found an exclusive. This is a truck that the Ferrari F1 team used to transport racing cars from 1969 to the 1980s. year.

Although the truck is not in perfect condition (need restoration)the vehicle will definitely make happy a wealthy Ferrari fan who would like to have it in its collection. Ferrari's transport vehicle is currently in Japan. Its price was not announced, as they are in the company Memento Exclusives decided to disclose to interested customers on request.

A car that is in the photo on the truck is not included in the price, but the transport costs from Japan to the location of the customer, are included.

Italians are giving up of sports car

2013-01-07T16:52:00.002-08:00

Love to Italian luxury sports car was seriously shaken by the economic crisis in the eurozone. According to the latest Ferrari and Maserati sales in the domestic market is more than halved. Moreover, in 2012. recorded a decline in total car sales of close to 20 percent.

In the year 2012 in Italy, Ferrari sold 248 cars, which is a drop of 56% compared to 2011. According to data from the Association of Italian car manufacturer, in 2012 the Maserati sold only 115, or 72% less than it did in 2011.

Lamborghini's sales drop in the domestic market is smaller than that of its competitors, but the company would not sell the large number of cars in Italy. In the year 2012 were delivered to customers 60 copies of the model with the emblem of a bull on the hood, or 16.6% less than in 2011.

Also, is the threatened sales of less expensive Italian sports cars, such as the Alfa Romeo. Although the year 2012 in Italy were placed 42,000 new Alfie, it's a quarter less than in 2011.

The Ferrari say they are not too worried about poor sales in the domestic market.

"The decline in sales of our cars in Italy is only one bad episode in an otherwise great year for Ferrari," said the company's president Luca di Montezemolo.

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

A trend that is affecting the sport and supercar is not unique only to this type of passenger vehicles.

Total car sales in Italy in 2012 also experienced a large drop of as much as 19.9%. Thus, during the past year on the Italian market delivered 1.4 million new cars, which is the worst result since 1979. year.

Foreign premium automakers also suffered declining sales, which at Audi and BMW is 16%.

In general drab to fit the largest domestic carmaker, Fiat, which is a in 2012 in Italy sold just under 295,000 vehicles, a decrease of 19 percent compared to 2011.

The Italian Association for such a car salesman sales results and a false state tax system.

"The car market is burdened with high taxes, which is a considerably more difficult and gaining possession of the car in Italy," says the president of the association, Filippo Pavan Bernacchi.

However, Italy is not alone when it comes to poor sales performance in 2012. year. A similar fate is shared by France with sales falling by 14%, and Spain, which last year recorded a 13.4 percent fewer deliveries than in 2011.

We are sure that this trend will be better in 2013 and 2014. year. Many rich people are adventurous by their nature, and they love adventure activities like modern kitesurfing holidays, diving, hiking, and at the top all vehicles that have two or four wheels...with huge horsepower!

Italian sports car with a style

2013-01-02T15:22:00.002-08:00

Although it may seem unusual for a Italian Sports Lamborghini, Urus is a brand with a fully fledged representative sign a raging bull. Length is 4.99 meters, measuring only 1.66 meters and a width of 1.99, the dimensions fit in the Sport SUV.

Sharp lines, wedge shape, large air intakes, the light elements in the Y-shaped some of the distinctive character of modern design super cars that can be found on this vehicle. Headlights are heptagonal shape, set horizontally and are completely made in LED technology. They consist of two series with 3 LED high efficiency. Daytime running lights have a distinctive "Y" shape that is achieved by using the technology of light lines, the fog lights are located below the air intake.

Between the two outer intakes are located and the adaptive front spoiler. The lateral view may be seen characteristic narrow glass surfaces taper toward the rear. In fact the whole back side of the door including the rear fenders and irresistibly reminiscent of the Estoque concept.

The wheels are 24 inches in diameter with double spokes and are made from cast aluminum with a matte finish. Exterior color was chosen to emphasize the contrast between the parts and carbon fiber body panels themselves. The concept does not have the classic door mirrors, but instead found that the camera image is projected on two screens inside the vehicle. This solution, however, does not impose a reality for mass production.

Lamborghini Perdigon - designed to hit the Veyron

2012-10-03T05:16:00.000-07:00

Since limited, special version of the Lamborghini Reventon coupe and roadster versions, which are found in the market 2008th and 2009th , the famous Italian manufacturer Lamborghini has brought a fresh design and sharp lines. The new look of models from Sant'Agate Bolognese inspired by combat fighter, was the production and concept models like Aventador and Sesto Elemento.

A large number of concept solutions of individual designers adopted the same philosophy. Last in the series comes to us from California, and is the work of Ondrej Jirec, a final year student of the Faculty of Arts in Pasadena.

The concept is called Perdigon Lamborghini, and was named by the famous bull, who "ruled" corridor in the late nineteenth century, and his head was exposed in the Madrid museum. Although based on the size Perdigon reminds on successors Gallardo, according to its author, it is a model conceived as a hyper car that could "come to grips" with the Bugatti Veyron. Sharp corners and surface appearance is inspired by the F117 Nighthawk and the F22 Raptor fighter combat, but rather there is a big air intake, while the fan is positioned immediately beneath the windscreen, which is a detail that recalls Betmobile from Tim Burton films.

Lamborghini Perdigon Interior

Fiat Punto - Italian Car common

2012-05-27T05:45:00.001-07:00

Solidly built hatch looks good but its performing is just about average.Like the Linea, it looks great, Its built is good and it comes with superb ride and handling. But it doesn’t take the game as forward in the hatchback segment as the Linea has done in the saloon class. Performing, gas efficiency and other things are not the very good and even the interior is disappointing. The Grande Punto makes up with the its price. With the basic 1.4 version starting at around 5000 (we haven’t driven the even cheaper 1.2) and the fully-loaded diesel not exceeding 6000, it may not be the cheapest hatch around but to take a line from partner Tata, the Grande Punto is a lot of car per car and pretty good value for money.

Production 1993–2010
Predecessor Fiat Uno
Successor   Fiat Grande Punto
Class          Supermini
Body style 3/5-door hatchback
                 3-door convertible (1994–99)
                 3-door van

The Fiat Panda - Cute Italian car

2012-05-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

The phrase “little cars, little profits” is the blunt retort credited to Edsel Ford when presented with the the primary proposals for the Fiesta. Within the even more Lilliputian world of sub-B cars like the Panda, or its new rivals Volkswagen’s Up or Kia’s Picanto, you need to get the production right or otherwise you can lose money on every car you sell.

Perhaps that explains why some early products in this sector were so lacklustre to drive and to possess. The first Panda in the 1980's was plain, but much like automotive Lego that Fiat produced it in three Italian factories; Mirafiori, Desio and Tremini, and one Sicilian, Imerese. In 23 years, Fiat sold 4.5 million Pandas and it achieved a sort of cult status, although the joke was that the last examples were 40 per cent larger than the firsts because the press tools were so worn.

Fiat was strangely ambivalent towards reusing that name for its 2003 replacement, which was built in Tychy, Poland. The Italian giant preferred Gingo, which Renault contested, reasoning it was too close to Twingo. So Panda stuck and the Nuova Panda won the 2004 Car of the Year title and sold just over two million in eight years.

Assembly Pomigliano d'Arco, Naples, Italy
Body style 5-door hatchback
                van
Platform    Fiat Mini platform
Engine       0.9L TwinAir I2 petrol
                1.2L Fire I4 petrol
                1.3L Multijet I4 diesel
Transmission 5-speed manual
                    6-speed manual
                    5-speed semi-auto

The Ferrari Enzo - Italian car legend

2012-05-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

You expect an Enzo to be fast; a "slow supercar" is really an oxymoron. You also expect an Enzo to be fiery; Ferrari actually admits that post-delivery mechanical malfunctions are an integral part of the development process. But most of all, you expect it to be pretty. Think of it this way: if the $650k Enzo wasn't pretty, everyone who saw one would consider its owner an idiot.

Benny Caiola Jr. is no idiot. Saying that, would you lend your Enzo to a stranger? Before you answer that question, think of this: the New York property developer owns two of them. And an F40, F40LM, F50, 333SP, 512BB, 575M, 456, 355, Dino, four 360s, a Lamborghini Diablo and Murcielago, Pagani Zonda, Porsche GT2 and Aston Martin Vanquish. So even if a visiting journalist somehow carved his place in automotive infamy, Benny wouldn't be taking the bus…

Anyway, as I approach Benny's Ferrari Enzo, I respect his taste. With the exception of its circular tail lights and the horse emblem in the rear mesh, the Enzo doesn't share any design cue with its predecessors. Yet it's Ferrari. The F1-style nose gets all the press, but it's the Enzo's blend of exquisite details and balanced proportions that creates its brand-specific charisma. To say the end result is aesthetically appealing is like saying Enrico Caruso could carry a tune.

Production 2002–2004
                 400 produced
Predecessor Ferrari F50
Successor    Ferrari F70
Class          Supercar
                  Racing car
Body style   2-seat Berlinetta
Layout        RMR layout
Engine    6.0 L Tipo F140B V12
Transmission 6-speed semi-automatic

The Lamborghini Countach - Italian car beauty

2012-05-08T05:15:00.000-07:00

The first issue making Countach so exotic was its look. The wedge-shape style combined with sharp edges and distinctive features like scissors doors, NACA ducts and sq. pop-up headlamps, not only caught eyes but additionally looked futuristic.

Whenever a Countach flashed pass a viewer, it'd immediately give a pair of impressions. The primary was that it was extremely low, lower than any other car in the world. In fact, standing at forty two inches in height, The Countach was the lowest car in history besides the Ford GT40 and Lotus Esprit. However, its aggressive lines created it subjectively appeared even lower than it was.The second impression was: it must be very powerful and electric fast. Race version of GT40, with 425 bhp 7-litre V8, actually out-powered the Countach, but its soft profile prevented one from believing its real speed. On the contrary, the original Countach had 50 hp less but looked like 40 mph faster. Therefore, when Lamborghini made a wild claimed of "in-excess of 200 mph top speed" in the Geneva show, most journalists believed it really could!

Production    1974–1990
                  (2,042 produced)
Assembly   Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy
Predecessor Lamborghini Miura
Successor    Lamborghini Diablo
Class         Sports Car
Body style     2-door coupé
Layout          Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine      4.0 L (3929 cc) V12
                       4.8 L (4754 cc) V12
                  5.2 L (5167 cc) V12
Transmission 5-speed manual

The Fiat 500 - Retro modern flashback

2012-05-06T02:45:00.000-07:00

If you think that you understand the Italians, think about the take of Roberto Giolito, the director of Fiat design. He compares the first 500 with the Michelin logo, in his words, The Fiat 500 is “a fat man made from tires.” He says this without a touch of irony and without the slightest thought that a fat man made from tires may not be the perfect design goal for any car. And it is not just about the old Fiat 500. He sees the identical thing in the new 500. We really don't know what he is talking about. The 500 is super retro-adorable inside. There is even an option that changes the black interior for white plastic. If you check this option you also get a white steering wheel. In the middle there is a digital display telling the engine temperature, fuel level, date, time, and exterior temperature. Wrapped around that is the tachymeter, and around that the speedometer. It is really awesome. So if you want a taste of awesome buy the Fiat 500.

Production 1957-1975

Assembly Turin, Italy

Predecessor Fiat 500 "Topolino"

Successor Fiat 126

Class City car

Body style 2-door sedan

3-door estate

Layout RR layout

Engine 479 cc I2

499 cc I2

594 cc I2

Transmission 4-speed manual

The Ferrari GTO 250 - Sold for only $31,856,726

2012-05-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

If there is a car that looks absolutely perfect in every way it's the Ferrari GTO 250 . The plunging valley between those humpy front wings, the little mouth pouting at the tip of its hood, the subtle flip-up on the boot. Don't care that the nose is a bit long and the tail too short and don't care that there are vents and slots everywhere to break up the flow and smoothness of the car's body. The GtTO still looks balanced in every aspect.

Two things instantly capture your attention inside. The gear-shifter lever, which stands like some mystical sword from the transmission tunnel so high that you can rest your elbow on it, with a polished aluminium knob the size of a tennis ball. From its centre, there are spokes polished enough to dazzle support a thin wooden rim and if you simply let go of this and keep the arms bent, your hand falls instantly to the gear knob. It's created in way that is so natural for the driver. Further down and to the left of the gate which guides the metal mast beneath your shifting hand, there's a enormous speedometer in a plastic-covered cardboard box. Only road legality demands its presence; the all-important rev counter with its wide plastic needle and bold but pale white numbers is dead ahead in the main instrument panel.

Production 1962–1964
             (39 produced)
Successor Ferrari 288 GTO
Class          Sports car
Body           Berlinetta
Layout   FR layout
Engine        3.0 L V12
         300 PS (220 kW; 300 hp)
Transmission 5-speed manual

The lamborghini Murcielago Lp640 - Italian car bully

2012-04-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

There exist only a number of vehicles that will stop streets like a Murcielago . Supercars like the Murcielago are now getting rare so we should enjoy in the insanity while we can.

Even though the seating position of the LP640 has come a long way from the ‘long arms, short legs' Old Lambo's , the Murcielago is still a big, noisy, tiring supercar.

The performance can be described in one in a word: mind-blowing . Four-wheel drive and 630bhp, combined with a torque figure of 487lb ft mean that you can take the Murcielago to 62mph in just 3.4 seconds. You're looking at 211mph of pure speeeeeed. It's Amazing.

When you think about how cool the Murcielago is, it is as all things outrageous equipped with a little bubble of cool all around them.

Now let's talk about handling. Reverse parking is possible, but not recomendable. Similarly there is enough space to store a weekend's worth of dirty laundry, but you'd probably be better off sending them on. Scissor doors become necessary when you consider just how wide the Murcielago really is - if you parked next to other cars with normal doors, you'd never get out. Solution is to never park next to other cars.

Production 2001-2010
                   4,099 built
Assembly    Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy
Predecessor    Lamborghini Diablo
Successor      Lamborghini Aventador
Engine     Mid-engine, four-wheel drive
                  6.2&L V12(572 HP)
                            6.5;L V12(630 HP)
Transmission 6-speed manual
                        6-speed e-Gear semi-automatic

The Lancia Stratos - Italian car blast from the past

2012-04-24T10:36:00.004-07:00

Wearing a Italian Lancia Stratos is like wearing a bell helmet – as Stig Blomqvist noted a few years back : ‘The car is like my clotheses,’ he said, ‘it’s got smaller.’
The men behind its rising to stardom were Cesare Fiorio, Lancia’s team manager, Italian designers Gianpaolo Dallara, Marcello Gandini, Danielle Audetto and ace driver Sandro Munari.

The Lancia Stratos was so small that the two crew members almost didn't fit inside , but it soon became the car other teams had to beat from the heat of Africa to the snows of Scandinavia.
Only 492 were built. But the Stratos captured the imagination like none other.
Infamously twitchy down to that crazy-short wheelbase, the Stratos had to have a special kind of driver to get the best out of it. Markku Alen adored it. Sandro Munari is considered a deity today, but Bernard Darniche won more rallies than anyone else with the Stratos. He is the most successful Stratos driver ever, with 33 victories to Munari’s 13.

The glassfibre front and rear flip front fit where they touch, it wears a truly terrifying pair of megaphones and it’s almost too wide to fit in the trailer. But nobody ever said a world-beater had to be practical.

Engine
2444cc 65 deg transverse iron-block alloy heads V6
& carbs
265bhp@7800rpm
28kg/m@ 4500rpm

Transmission
five-speed driving rear wheels

Dimensions
3710x1750-1810x1114mm
790 kg

Performance
0-60mph 4.1-5.8 secs
top speed 95-140mph depending on gearing

The Ferrari 308 GTB - Italian car classic

2012-04-17T13:29:00.009-07:00

If the world of Italian carmaker Ferrari was turned upside down when Bertone’s angular Ferrari 308 GT4 in 1973 appeared, things were righted when Pininfarina’s beautiful two-seat Ferrari 308 GTB made its debut couple years later.

“Based on the 308 Dino GT4 with only two seats is regarded by many as the more natural successor to the much-loved Dino 246,” England’s Motor summed up for many. “The styling is the best to come out of Ferrari for a long time.”

“Like the 206/246 Dino,” acknowledged Sergio Pininfarina, “the inspiration for the 308’s lines came from the Dino Berlinetta Speciale we exhibited at Paris in 1965.” The Ferrari 308 GTB was important because it was the first non-12-cylinder Ferrari to wear the prancing horse sign. And it was the first Ferrari with a fiberglass body. Its underpinnings were identical to the Ferrari 308 GT4’s, but its wheelbase was shortened about eight inches (210mm) to 92.1 inches (2340mm). As with that 2+2, horsepower was quoted at 255, and the European version used a dry-sump oiling system. Emissions regulations limited the first GTBs in America to 240 horsepower.

Production: 1975–1977 Fiberglass, 1977–1985 steel

Assembly: Maranello, Italy

Predecessor: Dino 246

Class: Sports car

Body style: Berlinetta

Layout: RMR layout

Engine: 3.0 L Tipo F105A V8
3.0&L FI V8 (GTBi/GTSi)
3.0L 4v V8 (QV)

If you like this, you may also like The Ferrari 458 Italia...

The Maserati Bora - Icon, Legend, Superstar

2012-04-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

The mid-engined Maserati Bora was the absolute epitomy of Modena exotic, a rare animal, a production car in which the stylist was given absolute freedom to design anything he wanted, and he ended up designing one of the most iconic car of all time.

The shape of the Bora is as good as it can get when talking about passenger car aerodynamics, a maximum speed of more than 170 mph combined with grip and handling ensured there was hardly an equal off the racing circuit.

There was a scary amount of engineering fines sitting above the four wheels of the Maserati. In addition to the abundance of attributes the Bora has, was the fact that it was also one of the most practical mid-engined production cars in terms of luggage capacity. Unfortunately though the front passenger's foot well-being was a bit compromised.

Somehow the designer acquired a lot of space for the 4.7-litre V8 engine and adequate luggage in the front boot within the confines of the 14 ft. 2 in. length but when he had done that he remembered that a heavy duty battery and a heater unit had to be accommodated somewhere. Rather than encroach on boot space he moved the vertical bulkhead rearwards into the passenger footwell, leaving space between it and the boot to accommodate bulky items.

Access to the battery was gained by removing a panel in the carpeted boot, allowing the battery to be slid out easily on its tray. The engine and seats were positioned within the monocoque and the 8 ft. 6 in. wheelbase as to give 42 per cent load on the front axle and 58 per cent on the rear, with a consequently low polar moment of inertia resulting in neutral handling. It had independent wishbone suspension all round with coil spring damper units and anti-roll bars front and rear.

Production            1971-1978 (Bora 4.7 L)
                               289 produced
                           1974-1978 (Bora 4.9 L)
                               275 produced
Predecessor    Maserati Ghibli
Successor         Maserati MC12
Body style    2-door coupe
Layout                RMR layout
Engine           4.7 L 4719 cc V8
                      4.9 L 4930 cc V8
Transmission     5-speed manual
Wheelbase         2,600 mm (102.4 in)
Length              4,335 mm (170.7 in)
Width             1,730 mm (68.1 in)
Height 1,134 mm (44.6 in)

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We are starting the countdown - Top 10 Italian cars ever

2012-04-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

In the next 10 articles we will be listing the top ten most popular Italian cars of all time.

We will start the countdown with the Maserati Bora and for the most popular Italian car of all time - you'll just have to wait.

The Ferrari 458 Italia - Italian menace

2012-04-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

If there’s anything better than a gorgeous Ferrari 458 Italia, it’s that same gorgeous Ferrari 458 Italia with its roof taken off.A few months age we received confirmation that Ferrari was planning on producing a Spider version of one of their highly successful new models back in 2009 from none other than Luca di Montezemolo himself and now the covers have finally been pulled off.

While most of the Ferrari’s appearance looks pretty much the same to that of the hard-top version of the 458, the biggest difference between the two is obvious: the Italia comes with a retractable roof.

The top is made from aluminum materials and was designed to ergonomically fit just in front of the rear engine without compromising both the car’s aerodynamic and the overall performance as well. With the roof mechanism being small, the 458 Italia Spider even has room to have a small storage space just behind the two seats of the supercar.

The front of the Italian icon remains untouched, but the rear end has been given a few tweaks to go well with the car’s new aerodynamic set-up, specifically in the optimization of air flow towards the cooling ducts, oil cooler, and gearbox. There is also an adjustable wind deflector, which has been designed so that the wind does not interfere with the interior cabin of the prancing horse, making conversations between driver and passenger less of a struggle than it would have been.

Additionally to the exterior engineering done to the 458 Italia Spider, Ferrari also adjusted the car's engine mapping and suspension, as well as tuning the engine sound to ensure optimal performance capabilities without compromising the ride experience of the car.

Assembly               Maranello, Italy
Predecessor            Ferrari F430
Body style             2-seat Berlinetta
Layout Rear         mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine                  4.5 L V8
Transmission          7-speed dual-clutch
Wheelbase               2,650 mm (104.3 in)
Length                       4,527 mm (178.2 in)
Width                     1,937 mm (76.3 in)
Height                    1,213 mm (47.8 in)
Curb weight     1,485 kg (3,274 lb)
Designer                    Pininfarina

Lambo Sesto Elemento - It's out of this world

2012-04-11T10:42:00.000-07:00

Lamborghini has confirmed that the new Sesto Elemento will be headed to the production line, albeit in a very limited run. The task of purchasing an Lambo Elemento got even harder as a high-end dealership in La Jolla confirmed that Lamborghini was already accepting orders for the Sesto and that only three units were headed over to the U.S.

The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will be offered at a princely sum and rumors suggest that payment will be taken in three equal payments of $300,000 or higher with the rest being paid at the end. That kind of payment will bring its owner a 570 BHP V10 engine and a power-to-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per HP! This allows the Sesto Elemento to fly from 0 to 60 mph in an amazing 2.5 seconds, while the top speed will be greater than 186 mph.

Manufacturer       Lamborghini
Production           2011 (20 Units)
Assembly             Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy
Class                    Sports car
Body style            2-door coupé
Layout            Mid-engine, four-wheel drive
Engine            5.2 L V10
Transmission     6-speed paddle-shift, semi-automatic
Curb weight     999 kg (2,200 lb)

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Maserati GranCabrio - Elegance is all

2012-04-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Imagine the billionaire scene of a luxury convertible and a sun-drenched road winding to a chic Mediterranean hotel...
The film rolling in your mind will probably involve you and a loving partner, or maybe you alone, and almost certainly won't feature anyone on your fantasy wheels' back bench.
But the reality is that many of us need the convenience of multiple seats, even when living the dream, which is why Maserati's strategy is always selling glamorous cars with room for four, and quite generous room at that.
So the Modenese company's latest GranCabrio has four seats and enough space around them to render the back pair genuinely comfortable.
True, the boot will struggle to swallow the luggage of one light packer, but this convertible is more usable than most in its class.

You can find full technical specifications here http://www.maserati.com/maserati/en/en/index/models/GranCabrio/Tech-specs.html

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The Ferrari 458 Spider - It's just a Prancing horse

2012-04-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Besides shaving the 458’s head, Ferrari changed it's throttle mapping, suspension tuning, and “engine soundtrack”. The Spider’s soundtrack should be very pleasing, produced as it's by the same 562- bhp engine as is used in the Ferrari 458 Italia. That power is routed through exactly the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic as is used in the coupe to the same torque-vectoring differential. Ferrari claims the Spider will run to 62 mph from a standstill in less than 3.5 seconds before gaining a top speed in excess of 198 mph. In a recent comparison test, we kicked a 458 Italia to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds, so the Spider’s figure is probably a bit conservative.

You can find full technical specifications here http://www.458spider.com/english/#/tech

The Fiat 500 Abarth - A zinger with a stinger

2012-04-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

The Italian Abarth 500 is small, so the back seats are also in the same way. But up front you will be fine, although a bit bounced to death thanks to stiff suspension. You can get away with the Fiat most of the time though - especially in town where you can scoot about like a maniac.

It's a relatively small 1.4-litre turbo but with a decent 135bhp and 133lb ft of torque. A ‘Sport' button slightly raises the torque available, but not by a big amount; it goes up to 152lb ft for the purpose of overtaking . It means that the tiny 500 is not blistering, but an exceptional joy to thrash. This isn't a car to win a drag race, but through the turns it is great fun.

Quality is ok. The 500 generally has some fine touches that kick it up above average, but the quality has been shaved in some bits. Not to say that it is bad, but start poking around and you will find some marginally ropey finishes.

All in all, the Italian scorp' is a small car that can do BIG things. Really.

You can find specific technical information about the Italian Fiat 500 Abarth here http://www.fiatusa.com/abarth/#

The Pagani Huayra - Roaring god of wind

2012-03-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

In 2012 we are are expecting an exotic Pagani with an even more exotic name - Huayra .The name comes from a god of wind in the Andes, an appropriate calling for a car boosted by a twin-turbo V12 and meant to fly along the ground at 230 mph.

The 2012 Pagani Huayra is more than just an evolution of the Zonda. It starts with the engine, for the Zonda's racing-specification, normally aspirated 7.0-liter Mercedes V12 has been replaced by an AMG-tuned twin-turbo 6.0-liter Mercedes V12.

In standard form, the turbocharged 5,980cc V12 will have an output of 700 BHP at 6,300 rpm and 664 pound-feet of torque from 2,500-4,250 rpm. The Sport version will create 730 BHP and 811 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine has been took from the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. Horacio Pagani notes that this turbocharged Powerhouse car makes it possible to meet air emission regulations, so he plans to get a certificate for the United States market.

Manufacturer:      Pagani
Production:         2011
Assembly:             Modena, Italy
Predecessor:       Pagani Zonda
Class:                    Sports car
Layout:                   Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout
Engine:               Mercedes-AMG V12 Bi-Turbo M158, 5980 cc
Transmission:      7-speed sequential cross. AMT robotic system with driving programs

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The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta - Smoothness from Italy

2012-03-25T13:06:00.001-07:00

Four words:The. Fastest. Ferrari. Period.

While the F12 Berlinetta may have a name seemingly created to drive English teachers crazy, the 740 BHP V12 is just demenziale. Genrating 509 lb-ft of torque, it is enough to propel the 3,362-pound car from 0-62 mph in just 3.1 seconds and 0-104 mph in 8.5 seconds, taking it from Ferrari. Of course, the true measure of any Ferrari is a lap around Fiorano course, which the Italian carmaker says can be completed in just 1:23 seconds .

Ferrari says the new Berlinetta has a lower and more rearward center of gravity thanks to a redesigned suspension and gearbox, with 54 percent of the entire weight of the car resting on the rear tires. A 0.299 Cd and 76 percent more downforce allows a top speed of over 211 mph.

Production:       2012–
Assembly:         Maranello, Italy
Predecessor: Ferrari 599
Class:                 Grand tourer
Body style:         2-seat berlinetta
Layout:                FMR layout
Engine:      6.3 L V12
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Automated Manual

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The Lamborghini Aventador J - a car from the future

2012-03-23T12:49:00.001-07:00

It is one thing to make a convertible version of the beautiful Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, it is a different thing to take the roof and the windscreen off, fitting two tiny wind deflectors in front of the driver and passenger compartments. Climate control? None. Navigation system? Don't even think about it.

What you do get is what Lambo calls "an utterly indescribable experience of power and dynamics." The Italian Lamborghini Aventador Roadster uses the same 700 BHP, 6.5-liter V12 as its hardtop cousin, and Lamborghini states that the open-air J will go up to 186 miles per hour. In an effort to save weight even more, the carmaker has used a new carbon fiber fabric called "Carbonskin" that is soft and supple enough to be used on the seats and interior trim. Regardless, we are sure that once you are actually driving this monster at speed, you won't really care how nice the fabric under your butt is.

The J Roadster you see here is for sale. How many more will be produced? Zero. It's a one-off, one-run deal, and put away your pocketbooks – it has already been sold for a small amount of 2.1 million euros. The Italian Golden Bull is really showing of what they can do with the new Lamborghini Aventador J. Truly amazing car.

Sorry, but we couldn't find any technical information about the Italian Lamborghini Aventador J.

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