SEMA Preview
Heading up to tomorrow's SEMA show, we now have an exclusive preview. First up is our comprehensive gallery which has a huge selection of the cars outside and a smaller glimpse inside the halls.
Among all the stands, the Gemballa Mirage GT from H&R is the ultimate show stopper. This particular example was converted from the sole TechArt GT and is freshly delivered from its recent upgrade.
On the always impressive Michelin stand sits a performance version of the Audi R8 known as the ASR8. While no official details are available yet, we hope that there might be a V10 lurking behind the cockpit.
GM have impressively upgraded their new CTS, offering a hint of what the upcoming CTS-V might look like. Tomorrow we hope to spot the rest of their showcars.
Having only scratched SEMA's surface, we hope to update our gallery for the next two days and include as much as we can. Stay tuned.
FXX Mark IIn
The innovative FXX program, first launched in June 2005, is being extended to 2008/2009. The FXX, which is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello, has been updated with an evolution package aimed at further improving its handling and performance
The package was developed as a result of Ferrari's collaboration with its Client Test Drivers and with the invaluable support of Michael Schumacher. The FXXs equipped with this package will also sport a new livery in addition to new rear wing profiles.
Maranello's engineers studied the wealth of information gained to develop a kit which will cut the FXX's Fiorano lap time to under 1'16'' (previously it was 1'18''). The FXX's 6262 cc V12 engine can now punch out a massive 860 hp at 9500 rpm. Gearshifting takes just 60 ms, a drop of 20 ms on the previous time.
As happened in 2006/2007, the cars will be backed up at each event by a 15-member official team made up of engineers, electronics experts and mechanics.
End Season
With the FIA GT, ALMS and F1 seasons now complete, we can probably say the year was best for Ferrari. They won a manufacturer's championship in all three series!
Our long-time photographer Dirk de Jager was on hand in Zolder to catch the final round of the FIA GT series. His gallery shows the winning AF Corse Ferraris from GT2 as well as the Maserati MC12's dominance in GT1.
Dirk also had the pleasure of attending the Brussels Retro Festival which focused on German marques like DKW, Auto Union, Audi and Horch. Notable cars in the gallery include an Audi 225 Spezial Roadster, a 1968 Healey SR2 LeMans and one very unrestored Bizzarrini 5300.
It's approaching SEMA time again and almost every manufacturer will bring too many cars to list. This means several have to be promising right? The Pontiac Solstice SD-290 and Honda's Accord Coupe HF-S both appear to be fully developed concept cars, but we have to wait until next week to find out.
GT-R is Here
After being unceremoniously revealed on the cover of Motor Trend, all the details of Nissan's GT-R are now available. It has 473 bhp, damptronic shocks, a dual-clutch transmission, 193 mph performance and might cost as little as $70,000 USD. The rest can be found on our dedicated page.
The Australian Motor Show is still ongoing and some new supercars are being displayed. HSV celebrates 20 years with the R8 Clubsport 20th Anniversary. Alongside it, the Maloo R8 is probably the best Ute ever made by HSV. Mazda also has the 3 MPS Extreme which looks better than the performance upgrades it flaunts.
The Geneva Classics show just finished and had an abundance of Swiss curiosities. Among them was this Bristol 401 bodied by Beutler for the 1951 Geneva Auto Show. A Jaguar XK120 Supersonic was also shown straight out of restoration. We would like to thank Julien Giambagli from Supercarfrance.com for making our feature gallery.
Just recently, a remarkably original 1911 Oldsmobile Limited traded hands in Hershey for 1.5 million plus commissions. It was in completely non-working order and still wore shredded tires that were almost 100 years old! Our feature takes a look this strange model.
Tokyo & More
Among many companies, Honda is one of the most recent to release Tokyo plans. They arrive at the top of our list with the CR-Z Concept. It has a shape harking back to the popular CRX and looks tremendously better than the Remix we saw from LA.
Micro boxes seem to be a popular trend for the show. Honda has the PUYO Concept, a seamless box with zero overhang and huge doors. Nissan is on board with the R.D/B.X. Toyota have taken the micro theme and extended it to the imperial-looking Hi-CT Concept as well as the RiN Concept. Toyota's third release is a see-through sedan that weighs only 970 lbs (420 kgs) - that's less than an original Fiat 500.
Australia is celebrating their International Motor Show. A subsidiary of Ford called FPV has the new GT Cobra on display in both Coupe and Ute configuration. Bonhams is also opening the doors to a corresponding auction. Among the lots is one of Australia's first muscle cars: an exquisite Falcon GT-HO Phase II.
We finish with more auction news. Pininfarina have decided to put their 1963 Corvette Rondine up for sale at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson gig. This is one of many cars that will be sold from the collection for the first time and to their very first owners.
Tokyo Preview #1
With the recent release of Mazda's newest concept, a preview of the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show is now ideal. One of our favorite cars of the year was the Mazda Ryuga, but now the company has taken their design theme one step further with the Taiki. Drawing inspiration from natural flow, this striking concept will be hard to trump when on the show floor.
So far, Mitsubishi have been the only company kind enough to offer a complete Tokyo plan. Their focus is on the rally-inspired Lancer Evolution X which is also a global launch for all markets including America. At the show, it will be displayed alongside the i MiEV Sport and Concept-ZT .
There's still lots more to know about the competition who have only offered tidbits of their game plan. Range-topping debuts such as Subaru's WRX STi and Nissan's GT-R have some serious lineage to live up to.
We end on a ridiculous note thanks to Suzuki who have their X-HEAD and PIXY Concept. With little noise coming from Honda and Toyota, we look forward to the weeks ahead.
