Essen Motorshow!
Audi Sport Unviel the new R8 LMS
Today the Essen Motorshow opened its doors and we can now report on its many releases. At the forefront of these is Audi's new GT3 contender called the R8 LMS. If it performs as successful as Audi's recent prototypes, then the Matech-Ford GTs will finally have a challenger.
Audi also took time to outline their upcoming R15 prototype, one which we hope to see soon, or at least at the upcoming Sebring test days.
9ff had a huge presence at Essen. For the first time they brought out the GT9R and also launched a new Carrera GT called the GTT 900. Close by was a 9ff GTurbo 150 and two very extreme Cayennes. Other tuners were present including TechArt with their GTstreet R, Brabam Racing's M3 and the PPI Razor Prototype, probably the most radical Audi R8 extant.
Another special display was reserved for supercars, both past and present. Combos like the 250 GTO/Enzo, Muira/Gallardo and MC12/Ghibli were paired. Additionally a whole hall was reserved for classic car sales. All this and more can be viewed in our feature gallery by Dirk de Jager.
Arizona Auctions
RM Auctions, 1963 Corvette Grand Sport
Next January, all the major auction companies will descend on Arizona to sell some impressive supercars. It seems Barrett-Jackson has started a successful trend in Scottsdale-both RM Auctions and Gooding&Co. will be there as well.
Naturally, each company has their fair share of highlight lots. For instance, RM Auctions will sell one of the five coveted Corvette Grand Sports. They also have a mustard Bugatti Atalante and the rarely seen Dodge Firearrow III Sport Coupe.
For their inaugural sale in Arizona, Gooding & Co. will offer the same Daimler Double-Six that won Pebble Beach in 1999. From the same collection will come an unrestored Talbot-Lago Teardrop.
As the old-timer, Barett-Jackson has power in numbers. Within the five days of sales are an immense selection of cars. Our favorites all come from a the Gary Holub collection, including a Camaro Yenko/SC, 1981 Yenko Camaro Turbo Z and a Camaro ZL1 COPO 9560
Dreams from Torino
Count the concept cars.
One of the more spectacular exhibitions is now open at the World Design Capital in Torino, Italy. In the spacious Torino Esposizioni hall, 50 concept cars are being displayed that highlight Italian design from the last 59 years.
In the entrance sits a 1930 Fiat 525 SS, one of Italy's first stylized cars. Nearby is Pininfarina's Modulo, probably the most daring Ferrari ever made. One car which caught our eye is the Ghia Gilda we saw earlier this year at Pebble Beach.
From that initial impression, the exhibit goes from strength to strength. Selections from the collections of Fioravanti, Alfa Romeo, Italdesign and Bertone showcase the change from curvaceous lines to acute angles with straight lines and the current synthesis of the two.
Matteo TT Stucchi took a day trip to visit the Dream exhibition and we can present a feature gallery of all the cars present. We have divided his work into modern and classic design. Since exhibition is open to the public until the end of December, we strongly recommend a visit.
Entry Level Sports Cars Debut in LA
New Mustang Debuts While Ford Shares Hit $1.26
With the opening of today's LA Auto Show, many manufacturers are taking the opportunity to launch new sports cars. So much so, LA might be taking some of the thunder away from Detroit.
The first and foremost of these is the new 2010 Mustang Coupe and Convertible which both get a slight makeover and power bump. Porsche also updated the Cayman and Boxster line with a slightly larger, direct injection engine. As direct competition, Nissan's new 370Z also gets a larger engine.
The real supercar of the show is the Gallardo LP560 Spyder which will directly compete with recently launched Ferrari 16M. Bentley also offer the Azure T while Honda have the FC Sport design study.
Ex-James Bond Esprit to be Auctioned
Bond's Esprit at Bonhams Studio
On Decemeber 1st, Bonhams will auction one of the two functioning Lotus Esprits from the James Bond Film The Spy Who Loved Me. It was these white supercars that thrust Lotus into the public's eye.
The car on auction is actually one of nine bodyshells used in the film. Most were destroyed to transform the Esprit into a submarine. On set, the Lotus 'U-Boat' was actually an electric submarine fitted with two scuba divers.
As a tribute to Lotus's star role, we feature the same car used in the 1977 film. It was recently restored back the same specification as used in the movie. Bonhams call this an opportunity to acquire one of cinema's most celebrated motor cars.
Tuned Porsches, Bespoke Ferrari and More
1120 BHP, 9ff makes the most radical 911
First we have a bevy of tuned Porsches and among them this GT9R takes the cake. Having 1120 bhp and equally impressive torque, it is a version of the Veyron-killing GT9 taken to the next level.
About the only other car that comes close to the 9ff in this update is Hamann's radically styled SLR called the Volcano. Other tuned Porsches which are only impressive in their own right include the 9ff 911 GT2CS and TechArt 911 GTstreet R
In a more official vein, Ferrari have released the first few details of their Portfolio Program with the F430 SP1. Other upcoming supercars include the Bentley Azure T for the upcoming LA Auto Show and the Lotus 2-Eleven Supersport for the European GT4 series.
Ferrari Scuderia Spider Revealed
Compnay President Luca di Montezemolo reveals the newest Ferrari
At the Ferrari Finale in Mugello, a drop-top version of the F430 Scuderia became the weekend's surprise. Called 16M, it now celebrates Ferrari's continued success as a manufacturer in F1.
Ferrari says this Spider is their fastest 'open-top road car', which probably comes as concerning news to anyone on the waiting list for the new California. Unlike the coupe, the 16M is being limited to 499 examples which will probably be sold very quickly.
Remarkably, this new car isn't the first Ferrari to be called 16M. Infact, one of the very first, chassis 0016M was built new as a 166MM Touring Barchetta. These 166s were Ferrari's first real production car and helped Ferrari win the 1949 the Mille Miglia.
Tuner Vision from SEMA
Camaro GS Racecar Released at SEMA
Today, the SEMA show opened it's doors in Las Vegas to an anxious crowd of industry insiders. As with every year, many of the manufacturers prepared some tuner showcars and we have the best right here.
Being the 'Official Vehicle of SEMA', Chevrolet prepared several versions of their venerable Camaro. Our favorite, called the GS Racecar Concept pays homage to Donohue's '69 Camaro racecar. But can it really compete with the ZL1 COPO 9560 we've often admired?
As a response to the Camaros, Dodge had their Challenger SRT10 Concept and Ford officially released the Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet.
Below is a list of all the major releases:
2008 Ford Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet
2008 Pontiac G8 GXP Street Edition
2008 HKS Genesis Coupe
2008 RMR Genesis Coupe
2008 Dodge Challenger Blacktop Concept
2008 Chevrolet Camaro GS Racecar Concept
2008 Chevrolet Camaro Black Concept
2008 Chevrolet Camaro Dale Earnhardt Jr. Concept
2008 Chevrolet Camaro LS7 Concept
RM Auction Gallery
Horch Special Roadster awaits it's next owner
Last week, RM Auctions proved that the economy hasn't affected certain blue chip cars. At their London Automobile sale, several records where broken including the McLaren bid we featured last week.
One sale watched by the concours community was a Horch Special Roadster which sold for nearly 1.8 million USD. In need of a restoration, this is a sister to the Horch which won the Pebble Beach concours in 2004.
Besides the McLaren, another record was reached for the Ferrari Tour de France Berlinetta which reached 3.5 million USD. Like many of the cars, it was rolled out in a smoke screen and highlighted by a starlight ceiling.
All the ambience, cars and action can be seen in this week's gallery by Dirk de Jager. We've assembled some of his top shots from the sale highlights.
