Tuning news, Jaguar E2A Auction
Does it get any better?
Aftermarket tuners give us little pause throughout the year and this is especially true with last week's releases. At the very forefront of all these new supercars is the Edo Competition Enzo which probably isn't even in its definitive form.
Edo is the first company to offer a tuning program for the Enzo. Their showcar has a new suspension, exhaust, transmission control unit, interior and matte-black JR wheels.
Beside this new Enzo the rest of our tuned-supercars are second-rate: Gemballa have extended their Avalanche program to include the GT2, Prodrive have upgraded the Brera for the British market, MTM have supercharged the Audi S5 into R8 territory, and PPI have made the Audi TT slightly better.
Over the last few days we were happy to hear that Bonhams will be auctioning E2A, a unique prototype from Jaguar's successful motor sports history. They expect the car should fetch in excess of $7-million USD at their public sale in August. We ran into E2A in 2002 and had a opportunity to photograph it inside and out.
2008 Mille Miglia
Simon Kidston introduces the Ferrari 250MM
Naturally, many of the best Italian cars have remained in Italy. This was especially apparent at last weekend's Mille Miglia. Many Ferraris, Maseratis, OCSA MT4s, Alfas, Cisitalias, Fiat 8Vs and even rarer marques filled the entry list.
Organized by new ownership, we were wondering what the new rally would be like. If the number of Ferraris was the key measurement, then this year's score was 22. Even if some considered this low, the event's volume of specialty cars and accompanying vehicles was impressive.
Our photographers were happy to see Ferrari 340, serial number 082A run the event. This is the exact car which Luigi Villoresi and Piero Cassani drove to victory at the 1951 Mille Miglia.
Dirk de Jager and Kevin Blommaert spent two days chasing the classic Mille Miglia around Italy. They photographed in the rain, around the Ferrari factory and at the starting ramp to capture our feature gallery. Many thanks!
Leggenda e Passione, New Audi & Abarth
Enzo sold for 850,000 euros
If there's one automotive auction to watch then Ferrari's own Leggenda e Passione is it. Last weekend this was especially true when a Ferrari fetched the highest amount ever reached by an automotive lot.
This was a black on black California Spyder which sold for seven million euros-almost double the estimated amount. Many of these iconic Spyders have been sold publicly in recent times, some LeMans winners and for much less money. This makes the latest sale even more questionable.
Despite getting such an impressive top bid, the Spyder wasn't even the best car at the event. If we had to pick just one, it would have to be the near-original Ferrari 250 LM which had much more performance potential and race history. Dirk de Jager was at the auction and photographed this supercar for our feature gallery.
In other news, Abarth have given us a sneak peak at their 500 Assetto Corse. Audi also debut the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro and showoff their diesel prowess by reaching 113.82 bhp per liter.
6th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique
Auto Union makes a rare running appearance
Of the more prestigious circuits, Monaco is one of the greatest. Two week's before F1 weekend, the track's tight space ensures drama for Monaco's historic races.
One of these memorable moments came last weekend when Lee Brahin flipped his Hesketh 308 in Class F. The car landed upside down and rested on its well-bent roll cage. Fortunately Lee was able to walk away from the incident.
The most anticipated moment came during the parade laps. Audi paid to have Jacky Ickx pilot their Auto Union Type C recreation around the course. This was followed by an impressive Corse Clienti program from Ferrari.
All the seven classes and their entrants can be found in our feature gallery. Both Dirk de Jager and Loic Kernen spent the weekend trackside to capture the 6th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. Their work is equally as stunning as it is diverse.
Ferrari Calfornia GT
To be released at the Paris Motor Show
Today Ferrari confirmed that their new production line is dedicated to this mid-size roadster called the California GT. Strictly built as a convertible, the model has Ferrari's first retractable hardtop. This places it in a market with the Mercedes-Benz SL and Alfa 8C Spider.
With the new car comes a series of engineering firsts for Ferrari which are likely to trickle down to all models. These include a 7-speed, dual-clutch transaxle and direct gasoline injection.
This car isn't for people that think real Ferraris need a V12. The California's V8 produces 460 bhp, ranking it as the least powerful car in the current Ferrari lineup.
The new California is unlike the original 1958 Ferrari 250 California Spyder which was powered by Ferrari's seminal V12 engine and occasionally raced. These classic models were produced an limited edition and currently fetch over one million USD on the market.
We expect more details will be released soon in preparation for car's debut at the Paris Motor Show.
MCA Supercar Unveiled in Monaco
Prince Albert II takes the wraps off his new car.
Monte Carlo Automobile is a relatively obscure manufacturer of ultra-rare supercars. So when we hear a new car is being unveiled in Monaco, we naturally have to be there.
At the Yacht Club near the F1 circuit MCA unveiled the ALA 50. It is a purebred racecar that will contest the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans. Thus it has all the hallmarks of successful motor sport design. Included is a carbon-fiber body and 650-horsepower V8.
MCA says this unveiling marks the 25th anniversary of the Centenaire supercar as well as Prince Albert II's 50th birthday. The design you see here is a clay mockup. MCA hope to have a working prototype completed later this year and a road-going version will follow.
Dirk de Jager was at the unveiling which was delayed until Prince Albert could arrive and personally describe the car. His shots give us a nice glimpse into the future of MCA.
Lancia Astura, Tuning News
Future Pebble Beach Winner?
Pebble Beach recently announced their special classes and among them a tribute to Lancia gets our attention the most. In the 1930s, this company was making Italy's most prestigious cars.
The Astura was Lancia's top model and nearly 3000 were made. Many of these had custom bodies by the great design houses of Italy. At Pebble, we expect to see at least a few Asturas as graceful as the Touring Flying Star pictured here.
At the upcoming Mille Miglia retrospective, another important Astura will surface. Called the Colli Spider, this car competed three times in the original race with a unique body and specification.
Over the last month some impressive tuned supercars have come our way. The most recent and powerful of these is the Brabus SL 600. From there we have many more worth viewing: 2008 Edo 630 Scuderia, 2008 Carlsson Sl 500 CK50, 2008 Sportec SP600, 2008 Premier4509 Gallardo, 2008 Hamann M3 and 2008 Geiger Corvette Z06 Black Edition
EB 16.4 Veyron Sang Noir
New Bugatti will Debut in California
Bugatti are showing little restraint in their eagerness to specialize the Veyron. First we had the PurSang, then the Hermes and now the Sang Noir. It's a darkened version with a completely black exterior.
Ralph Lauren was the first to blacken out his Veyron, but this edition goes much further. Like the Pur Sang, its central body panels are bare carbon fiber. Inside is a high-contrast tangerine interior with black-piano lacquer panels.
With three special edition Veyrons now in production, it's clear that the original personalization program was far too limited. These few cars will set a standard that every owner will want.
Bugatti compare the new Sang Noir to the Type 57 Atlantic which was limited to a production of three examples. One of these sensational cars will debut at Pebble Beach later this year fresh from a Paul Russel restoration.
Villa d'Este Wrap Up
Autobahnkurier takes the Coppa d'Oro
Now that the Villa d'Este is behind us we can take time to reflect on some of the cars and events. Obviously, the most profound release was BMW's M1 supercar project, but much more was happening behind the scenes.
For instance, Touring was celebrating their revival and had many important designs show up for both the private and public days of the Concours. Our favorite of these was the Pegaso Thrill which we had not seen before. The new company has been kind enough to give us historic pictures of this car which we've now assembled on our devoted page.
Despite some heavy competition from the Pebble-winning Daimler and a gorgeous Figoni Delahaye, Arturo Keller's sleek Mercedes 540K Autobahnkurier took the top prize called the Coppa d'Oro. This supercar debuted at Pebble Beach in 2006 and was a runner up for Best in Show. It's shown on the right infront of Villa d'Este's beautiful 16th century gardens (lit up for that evening's dinner).
During four days that surrounded Villa, our photographers Matteo Stucchi and Dirk de Jager spent considerable time capturing the show for us. We have condensed their material into a half and half gallery containing 500 shots. Included are the supercar releases, the main day of concours and the public Villa d'Erba. Many thanks are due their way.
