More Geneva Debuts & a Tribute to Paul Frere
440 BHP GranTurismo
With the Geneva Motor Show just one week away, the rate of internet previews and leaks is increasing.
Today, the first few images appeared of the Maserati GranTurismo S. Speculation is rampant, but this version is expected to have a larger version of the V8 similar to the Alfa Romeo 8C's. It also appears to have new wheels and redesigned sills.
Other Geneva debuts include the 211 bhp John Cooper Works Mini Clubman and TechArt's GTstreet Cabriolet. Giugiaro also announced a concept, but we only have three teaser images of it and not much else to offer.
Many classic motoring fans are mourning the loss of race driver and journalist Paul Frere. As a tribute we feature the Porsche 550 Coupe which he piloted to one of his first victories. He later became a die-hard Porsche fan and wrote a book on the 911.
Carbon Corvette, Alfa 8C Spider, Melbourne Debuts
Carbon Fiber Covette from the Netherlands
The newest custom-built supercar comes to us from the Netherlands. This Z03 Corvette is the result of a new carbon fiber body developed by Ugur Sahin Design.
In a coachbuilt tradition, the Z03 uses Z06 underpinnings and an upgraded 750 bhp engine. With 100 lbs less bulk, the new car will be blindingly fast.
Today, we also have the 8C Spider which is a drop top version of the gorgeous 8C Competizione. For those that missed the limited Coupe run, now there is another opportunity to get one of the 500 Spiders.
We end with four cars from the Melbourne Auto Show which opens next Friday. Ford will debut their new FG platform and have the Falcon XR8 as well as the 2009 FPV GT on display. Two upcoming supercars will be unveiled: the Bolwell Nagari which revives one of Australia's legends and the track-day focused E-Vade.
Abarth 500 Returns!
135 bhp? We Expect an SS Model to Follow
Today Fiat offers us a first glimpse of the Abarth-tuned Nuova 500. With 135 bhp on tap, the new model isn't exactly in supercar territory, but does have a tremendous history to live up to.
Back when the first generation 500s were coming out in the late 1950s, Abarth was properly tuning them for racing. The program was successful and Abarth developed models like the 750 Record Monza with bodies from the specialists at Zagato.
The success of these little cars elevated Abarth and they eventually started making cars with their own engines and body designs. The most successful of these was the OT 1300 which won the 1300cc International Touring Car Championship two years in a row.
The pinnacle of Abarth development led to completely new tube-frame sports prototypes. The first that was built in any quantity was the 1000 SP. It racked up a number of victories from 1966 until 1971.
While all these models didn't have huge engines, nor obtain many outright victories, they did dominate the smaller classes which were just as competitive. Today a genuine Abarth is a rare sight and highly collectible. Hopefully the reborn brand will follow in these
footsteps.
Rolls-Royce Coupes, Past & Present
Third Rolls since BMW Takeover
Over the weekend, Rolls-Royce made their Geneva announcement and launched the new Phantom Coupe. It is a hardtop version of the 100EX Concept that debuted in 2006 to celebrate the company's centenary.
The Coupe is now the most driver-focused model in the Rolls-Royce lineup and further broadens the brand's appeal. Inside are a few new touches including an optional starlight headliner which we first saw on a show car in Detroit.
To complement the new Coupe, we present the 1935 Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe. This radical car made a noteworthy return to the classic car scene at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours and has caused a stir at car shows around the world.
Morgan LifeCar, New Exige Cup & a Fab Farman
LifeCar might be the most radical Morgan yet.
In recent years Morgan has displayed some impressive cars at the Geneva show and next month they will debut the LifeCar concept. It's a radically styled coupe that uses hydrogen fuel cells with regenerative braking. Work has been ongoing for two years and with three universities, so this one should be finished to a high caliber.
Morgan also recently announced that their Aero 8 GT3, which is run by AutoGT Racing, will be contesting five rounds of the upcoming FIA GT Championship. The first round is at Silverstone in a couple weeks.
Lotus Sport have launched the Exige Cup 260 which is a track day car that can be driven road-legally throughout Europe.
We finish with one of last week's cars. That is the 1921 Farman A6B Super Sport which nearly sold at Retromobile in Paris. These Farmans are extremely rare, and our metallic silver feature car has to be one of the best surviving examples.
Updated Porsche RSR, 2008 SL 63 & 65 AMG, Alfa Alleggerita
Most powerful racing Porsche 911 considerably improved
Today Porsche announced an upgraded version of their dynamite 911 RSR race car. Along with a new front bumper and its distinguishing 'flicks', the car has many changes under the skin which will make it harder to beat in 2008.
From the rear, the 911 is identical to last year's model which scored wins at the 24 hour races of Le Mans and Spa as well as overall victory at the Nurburgring 24 hours. It follows the GT3-contending Cup S which was released last week.
Geneva's biggest production car launch will probably be the new updated SL series. Mercedes has been gracious enough to offer images of the 63 and 65 AMG after both leaked early on the internet. Also at the show will be Hyundai's 6-seater HED-5 concept.
We finish on a classic theme with Alfa Romeo's 1956 Sprint Veloce Alleggerita. These unassuming little sports cars were custom-built to race in the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. Some were even completely rebodied by specialist firms to get an upper edge.
Retromobile Highlights
Visitors crowd around a beautiful French Talbot Lago
To the delight of classic car fans across Europe, Retromobile opened its doors over the weekend. Many of the best displays came from the manufacturers, auction houses, local clubs and international dealers, but there was just too much to generalize.
Having over 300 booths littered with curiosities and French oddities, it's hard to pinpoint any one typical display, but a couple were notably spectacular. Take for instance the Delahaye Club, which celebrated 70 years of the marques win at LeMans by bringing the #1 and #2 finishing cars from that race. Hall two had a strong showing of Ferraris and our favorite Lancia, the Lambda MM.
Auction houses brought out the majority of the cars, a few which we've been keeping our eye on for some time. First of these is the Ferrari 246 S Dino. These small V6 Ferraris were once considered a Testa Rossa replacement, so their resemblance to them is no coincidence. The example at the show was 0778 and will be offered by RM Auctions at Maranello this May.
Bonham's brought many important cars, but the one which caught our eye is an older 10.6 liter car we first saw at Pebble Beach. It's the 1905 Panhard et Levassor 50HP, one of the most expensive, powerful and luxurious cars built near the turn of the century.
All of Retromobile's highlights can be found in our feature gallery by our man Dirk de Jager. Many thanks are due his way.
Challenger & BMW M3 Racer debut in Chicago
Highest naturally aspirated V-8 engine ever offered by Chrysler
With the opening day of the Chicago Auto Show now finished, we can focus in on its most anticipated debut. This is the new Dodge Challenger-the first of which sold at Barrett-Jackson for $400 000 USD.
Not only has Chrysler provided some stunning pictures of the Challenger in all three available colors, but we now have a video and an impressive list of specifications.
This debut gives us a chance to romanticize over the 1970s version which was the star in Vanishing Point-one of the greatest road movies ever made. In 1969, Chrysler was last to enter the pony car race and endowed special models with the 426 Hemi. It became legendary on the road and track: a homologation version called the Challenger T/A was produced to go racing in Trans Am and Dick Laney campaigned Challengers in the National Hot Rod Association's Pro Stock class.
The biggest surprise of Chicago came from BMW who announced their return to ALMS. A new race-ready version of the M3 was shown with Bobby Rahal who will campaign the cars on behalf of BMW Motorsport for the entire season.
Geneva Preview, More Tuned Supercars
Full-Scale Maserati Chicane will debut at Geneva
With the Geneva Motor Show one month away, more debuts are trickling in. Our first is from one of the many design houses which get an equal opportunity at the show. It's the Maserati Chicane Concept, a design study by the Instituto Europeo di Design (IED) students for an entry level model.
If the Chicane isn't radical enough, Pininfarina's Sintesi Concept looks to challenge many conservative ideas about how we view the automobile. This is their newest prototype since the Birdcage debuted three years ago.
Mitsubishi are entering the hatchback segment with the Lancer Prototype-S. This release probably has a lot to do with the 3-door and 5-door models that have dominated the World Rally Championship in the last few years.
We finish with a bevy of tuned supercars: RENNtech wins the horsepower war with their 695 bhp CL Coupe, Abt Sportsline finally give us pictures of their striking R8 and speedART showoff the BTR-XL 600 Cabriolet based on the 911 Turbo.
Cavallino Classic 17
Upfront: 612 Sessanta, F430 Scuderia, 250 GTO, 330 LMB
Last weekend's Cavallino Classic brought together some of the most desirable Ferraris on one field. But before the real event happened, there were races at the Moroso Motorsports Park, a driving & culinary tour of Palm Beach, a jet aviation reception and a 'yacht hop' at the Rybovich Marina.
The 2008 edition celebrated Ferrari's 250 GT which was the company's longest running series. The first car was simply known as the Berlinetta until it dominated the Tour de France and received the race's name. Four of these models were positioned in the center display around a strong showing of variants including Cabriolets, California Spyders and SWB Berlinettas that made this series so legendary.
The sole Ferrari 410 Sport was present and one of the few cars that both raced at Moroso and competed in Sunday's concours.
Today we have a feature gallery that includes both the Moroso Motorsports racing and the Concorso di Eleganza at The Breakers in Palm Beach.
