Feb 28, 2011 - By Chris Weiss
The Koenigsegg Agera, which launched at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, was already a venerable, top-o-the-world supercar. But apparently some point between now and then, Christian von Koenigsegg went back to the boardroom and said “It’s not enough!” And the Agera R was conceived.
A faster, more powerful Agera, the R gets a bigger, 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that’s capable of spewing 1,115 horses and 885 lb-ft of torque. With the car’s carbon fiber monocoque chassis and sub-3,000-lb. curb weight, it’s sure to be quick and fast, though Koenigsegg is only throwing out a “theoretical top speed” at the moment. But when that top speed is 273 mph–greater than the world record–you know it’s going to be knee-shakingly fast. So fast, in fact, that the speed will be electronically “limited” to 233 mph in production.
Continue Reading
Feb 28, 2011 - By Chris Weiss
Last week, Ferrari held an official unveiling of the FF concept for VIP types. It also provided Web access to the event. Frankly, I thought Ferrari already held a Web unveiling last month, but I guess this one was different.
One way it was different is that it brought the best video clip of the FF yet. A three-minute segment that shows the concept barreling through just about every type of terrain you’d drive on–snow, wet pavement, dirt road, sand, etc. It also shows the FF in a few new colors. It’s a great piece of video that begs to be watched. Jump and it’s all yours. [via Inside Line]
Continue Reading
Feb 28, 2011 - By Chris Weiss
Back when the 599 GTO came out, Ferrari called it the fastest road-going Ferrari ever. Of course, that designation didn’t take extreme tunes into account. And when you take the fastest Ferrari ever and put it through an extreme tune, you have a beast of a car.
Novitec Rosso used two supercharges, a modified exhaust system, an air-to-water intercooler and custom intake manifolds to achieve 888 horses and 636 lb-ft (up from 671 hp and 457 lb-ft) in its 599 GTO tune. That equipment chops .15 seconds off the 0 to 62 mph, which is brought down to 3.2 seconds, and adds 3 mph up to a 211 mph top speed.
Continue Reading
Feb 25, 2011 - By Chris Weiss
Three more pictures. That’s today’s bounty. We now have a much better look at the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 thanks to a profile and angled front-end picture that originated on Jalopnik yesterday. We see the masterful balance of big curves and sharp lines that Lamborghini combined to make an absolutely stunning flagship. The pictures appear to be out of the same magazine as the first leaked picture from earlier this week.
All we need now is a photo of the rear. Take a good hard look and decide for yourself if it’s not the next logical step forward from the Countach, Diablo and Murcielago. [via Jalopnik]
Continue Reading
Feb 24, 2011 - By Chris Weiss
Speculation has it that this here is a second teaser picture of the Gumpert Tornante. While no one seems to know the exact origin of the photo, the car’s overall shape does look a lot like that of the first Tornante picture that we saw. And the clean taillights certainly look like they’d complement the smooth curves around the body. Of course, the lines are a little sharper in this particular picture, but the first picture was a rather abstract illustration, so that doesn’t necessarily convince us that it’s not the Tornante.
I suppose we’ll know for sure when Gumpert unveils its new Touring Superleggera-designed tourer in Geneva next week. [via Motor Authority]
Feb 23, 2011 - By Chris Weiss
We’ve known about the 50-model Lexus Nurburgring package for nearly a year now, yet we’ve been stuck using the same pictures story after story. But today that all changes. In anticipation of its official Geneva show debut, Lexus has released a sizable album of new Nurburgring pictures, showing the orange car from all angles. We were hoping for a picture or two of the $20,000 matte black paint job, but maybe Lexus is saving that one for Geneva.
The LFA Nurburgring package adds a number of upgrades to the $375,000 LFA, including 10 extra horses, tuned suspension and a big, ol’ spoiler in back. The package starts at $70,000. [via Motor Authority]
Continue Reading
Feb 23, 2011 - By Chris Weiss
Mini has a new concept vehicle packed full of intriguing design features and technology. Measuring 135 inches from bumper to bumper, the Rocketman features a flexible, 3 + 1 layout designed to get four passengers inside as quickly and comfortably as possible. To widen their entryway, the doors are double-hinged. In back, a pull-out storage drawer augments the capacity of the hatch, allowing you to store luggage or gear even when traveling with four people.
Continue Reading
Feb 22, 2011 - By Chris Weiss
Porsche announced the Panamera S Hybrid last week, and has updated that announcement with two new promo videos for its latest hybrid. The videos provide some nice footage of the car driving around scenic parts of Europe’s urban and rural enclaves.
The Panamera S Hybrid is Porsche’s most efficient car ever. It features a 333-hp 3.0-liter V6 engine, a 47-hp electric motor, NiMh batteries, and an eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission. It’ll hit the U.S. market later this year with a base price of $95,000.
See what it’s all about after the jump. [via Motor Authority]
Continue Reading
Feb 22, 2011 - By Chris Weiss
Your favorite ultra-luxury marquee is about to become your favorite electric vehicle maker. Maybe. Rolls seems to be more inquisitive than definitive when it comes to the future of ultra-premium sedans run by battery. The company announced that it will present its first EV, an electrified Phantom prototype called the 102EX, at the Geneva Motor Show next week.
Continue Reading
