Rolls Royce Phantom $ 320,000

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a luxury saloon automobile made by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a BMW subsidiary. It has a 6.8 L, 48-valve, V12 engine that produces 453 hp (338 kW) and 531 ft·lbf (720 N·m) of torque. The engine is derived from BMW's existing V12 powerplant. It is 1.63 m (63 in) tall, 1.99 m (74.8 in) wide, 5.83 m (228 in) long, and weighs 2485 kg (5478 lb). The body of the car is built on an aluminium spaceframe and the Phantom can accelerate to 60 mph (100 km/h) in 5.7 s.

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

The Most Expensive Hybrid Car - Lexus LS600H $104,000

The 2008 Lexus LS 600h is a classy car with all the tech you could ask for, both under the hood and in the cabin. Its hybrid system gives it a better environmental pedigree than its luxury class competitors, and its driving performance is very good.

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

8 Reasons To Buy Hybrid Cars - Toyota Prius

1. They're as comfortable to drive as conventional cars.

There's no difference between a hybrid and the gas-powered car parked in your garage it can accelerate just as quickly and cruise just as fast on the highway, and it handles just as smoothly. Most important, hybrids are just as safe to drive. Well, there is one difference: Hybrids are super-quiet sometimes you can't tell whether the engine is running or not! When power is not needed at a red light, say, or in bumper-to-bumper traffic the engine completely shuts down and revs up again when you press on the accelerator, meaning you don't waste gas or emit toxins. Hybrids run on a rechargeable battery and gasoline rather than gas alone, but the power shift between the gas engine and electric motor is so seamless that you're likely to forget about all the advanced technology moving you down the road. And there's no need to plug them in as you would with an all-electric car; the electric motor also acts as a generator during deceleration and braking to continually recharge the batteries as you drive.

2. You're sure to find a model that fits your family's lifestyle.
Currently, there are three popular hybrids on the market: Honda's compact two-seat Insight coupe, along with the midsize Toyota Prius four-door hatchback and the Honda Civic hybrid sedan, both of which seat five. But with half a dozen new hybrid models on their way, larger families will soon have more good choices. Look for everything from midsize family cars like the Honda Accord hybrid to hybrid versions of midsize sport-utility vehicles, like the Ford Escape, Toyota Highlander, and Lexus RX 400h, to full-size pickup trucks from Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge to turn up in your local dealers' showrooms within the next year

3. You'll save money on gas.
With gas prices soaring to more than two bucks a gallon in many parts of the country, there's no smarter reason to switch to a hybrid than fuel efficiency. Just compare the miles per gallon you're getting now with, for example, a Toyota Prius's 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. In fact, hybrid cars can go for more than 600 miles between fill-ups, meaning you should be able to cut visits to your neighborhood gas station in half, saving you time as well as money. If you drive 1,000 miles a month and your current car averages 20 miles per gallon, driving a hybrid could save $700 or more a year at the pump.

4. You'll be doing your part to help protect the environment.
Not only do gasoline-electric hybrids get much better mileage than many standard cars, but most also produce about 90 percent fewer smog-forming tailpipe emissions compared with the average new car, accordeing to Dave Hermance, head of Environmental Engineering for Toyota.

5. You'll set a good example for your kids.
If you like the notion of leaving the world a better place for your children, driving a hybrid is one good way to transform that lofty ideal into a concrete move. Our actions as parents speak louder than our words, even with seemingly simple decisions. Owning an eco-friendly car does more to impart environmental values to your children than countless talks about saving the planet.

6. They're not all super-expensive.
Hybrids tend to cost $1,500 to $2,400 more than mainstream cars (don't forget about that tax break and major gas savings). But they are becoming extremely popular: Many dealerships have a several-month waiting period for a new one. And it is perhaps this growing demand for hybrids that has sent a message to American automakers who've been slower than their Japanese rivals to adopt this new technology to build cleaner, more socially responsible cars

7. You'll boost your "coolness quotient."
You can't put a price on this aspect of hybrid ownership, but suffice it to say, driving a hybrid car is a surefire conversation starter among coworkers, fellow parents, neighbors, and even total strangers. Just ask Hollywood hipsters Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Larry David, and Leonardo DiCaprio all happening hybrid owners.

8. You'll get cash back from Uncle Sam.
More financial incentive to buy a hybrid: The IRS's Clean Fuel Vehicle Tax Deduction allows you to take $1,500 off your 2004 federal tax bill (the deduction decreases by $500 a year until it's phased out in 2007). You may also qualify for additional financial incentives offered by state and local agencies

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

Ferrari VS Lamborghini - The Feud Never Stop

Their rivalry started as early as the 1960's. Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of Lamborghini and already owns a tractor company then, went to the office of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the Ferrari car, to complain about the poor clutch of the Ferrari 250 that he bought. Enzo known for his unwelcoming character, arrogance and short temper, sent Lamborghini away. From then on, he promised to himself that will not buy a Ferrari car again and would put Ferrari to its knees by building a car company that would surpass that of Enzo's. Thus Lamborghini was born, for the sole reason of competing with Ferrari.

Lamborghini had a long history of different ownership but nevertheless was able to maintain its name on the market. Its symbol is the Taurus against Ferrari's prancing black Stallion.

Although Lamborghini did not officially surpassed Ferrari up to this date, it is still notable to say that they have rather almost equaled each other in terms of performance and good cars produced.

Both companies are now known to produced high quality luxury sports cars with outrageous designs and power. Lamborghini pioneered the futuristic designs when they released the Countach series in the 70's while Ferrari has already created a name in terms of making fast cars for racing as wells as for legal road usage. Lamborghini are famous for its outrageous designs such as the Countach, Diablo, Murcielago, Gallardo and the Reventon while Ferrari are known for many cars with their new Enzo and FXX models to name a few.

Somehow their rivalry created and started a car revolution that will forever be engrave in history. They both tried to outsmart and outsell each other that created the supercars of the modern days.

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

2008 Lamborghini Murcielago $345,000

The Murcielago's body is available in a two-passenger coupe or roadster. feature a 6.5-liter V12 engine that produces up to 632 horsepower.A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and an available E-gear auto-shifting manual transmission with steering column-mounted paddles allows for split-second gear shifts.

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

2008 Ferrari F430 $257,500

This Italian exotic is available as a 2-seat coupe or spider.The standard 4.3-liter V8 engine produces 490-horsepower at 8500 rpm.Two transmissions are available on the F430. A 6-speed manual with F1-style steering column-mounted shift paddles and 6-speed manual with steering column-mounted paddles and Superfast2 shift technology.

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

2009 Toyota RAV4 First Look

This is the revised RAV4 that Toyota is releasing in Japan - and that we will likely see as a 2009 model here in the US. Toyota has been selling a lot of the current RAV4, but they haven’t enjoyed the tremendous success that Honda has with their new CR-V. Regardless of the fact that the RAV4 offers a V6 and 3rd row seat ( neither of which are available on the CR-V ), Honda has continued to outsell Toyota in this area. Exterior design is one of the most likely candidates - something that the 2009 RAV4 tries to rectify.


The front end gets an updated, more modern look, but more important is the rear. Toyota finally got rid of the tailgate-mounted spare tire that was hideous to behold. The spare will now presumably be mounted under the floor in the rear cargo area ( though it could be mounted up underneath the vehicle instead ). Kudos to Toyota for keeping their product fresh - competition keeps progress coming. A better RAV4 means a better CR-V, means a better Nissan Rogue.

http://www.houstoncars.org/

Porsche Carrera GT

The Carrera GT is powered by a 5.7 litre V10 engine producing 612 DIN (605 SAE) horsepower (450 kW)[5] whereas the original concept car featured a 5.5 litre version rated at 558 hp (416 kW).

Porsche claims it will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 330 km/h (205 mph)[3], although road tests indicated that in reality the car could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds[5] and 0-100 mph in 6.8[5] seconds, while 0-125 mph in 9.9

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

Maserati MC12

Maserati MC12 is a grand tourer produced by Maserati.. The MC12 is longer, wider and taller than the Enzo Ferrari, which has faster acceleration and a higher top speed.

The top speed of the Maserati MC12 is 330 kilometres per hour (205 mph) whereas the top speed of the Enzo Ferrari is 350 kilometres per hour (217.5 mph).

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

2009 Nissan GT-R Spec V

The Spec V's 3.8-litre V-6 will pump out about 520 bhp at 6500 rpm and 435 lb.-ft. of torque from 3200 to 5200, roughly a 10-percent increase from the base engine. The extra oomph comes by increasing the boost of the turbochargers

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

Bugatti Veyron

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a proven top speed of over 400 km/h (407 km/h or 253 mph).

The car is built by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS and is sold under the legendary Bugatti marque.

It is named after racing driver Pierre Veyron. The Veyron features a W16 engine-16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders.

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

Ferrari California

Grand touring sports car that launched by Ferrari. It is a two door "2+2" hard top convertible

Will be powered by front-mid mounted gasoline direct injection 4.3 L (260 cu in) V8 sending a claimed 453 bhp (338 kW/459 PS) to the rear wheels. Will be the first front engined Ferrari with a V8, the first to feature a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

First with a folding metal roof, the first with multi-link rear suspension and the first with direct petrol injection.

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

Lamborghini Reventon

The Lamborghini Reventon is a mid-engined sports car..Most powerful and expensive Lamborghini road car to date.

A power boost of approximately 10 bhp (7.5 kW), bringing the new output to 650 bhp (480 kW).[7][2] In spite of this, and the car's carbon fibre components, the Reventón accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph).

Car is capable of reaching a maximum speed of over 340 km/h (210 mph). Reventón is named after a fighting bull in keeping with Lamborghini tradition.

http://www.fastspeedcars.com/

New Meaning to 'First Response': The Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia

In dire situations that require the speediest of responses, the Italian State Police are now equipped with perhaps the greatest tool at their disposal: a brand-new 2009 Lamborghini LP560-4 'Polizia' model donated by Lamoborghini and tricked out with all manner emergency medical equipment and high speed survelliance devices.
Why send an ambulance to a scene where timing is absolutely crucial when you can send a 203-mph all wheel drive Lamborghini Gallardo? The Gallardo Polizia is the third Lamborghini Gallardo to be donated by the iconic Italian sports car maker, and all three are in active use.
The mid-engined Gallardo Polizia touts a refrigerated cabinet in the hood section, allowing transport of donor organs in situations where even a few seconds can mean life or death. A defibrillator on-board means the select few police officers cleared to drive the Gallardo can do real work to save lives.But medical work is not all the 2009 Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia is good for. A front-facing video camera live linked to the station ensures that no one in the of the Cosa Nostra, save perhaps a select few Murciealago LP640-4 and Ferrari F40 drivers, will be escaping the state police's most elite driving unit any time soon.

Lamborghini donates the new “Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia” to the Italian State Police
Sant’Agata Bolognese, October 24, 2008 – a private ceremony was held today at the Viminale Palace where Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. donated a police version of the company’s newest super sports car, Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia, to the head of the Italian State Police, Prefect Antonio Manganelli.
The new Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia, which replaces the previous Gallardo in use by the Italian police force since 2004, has a 560 horsepower engine that can reach speeds of up to 203 mph. The car will begin service with the Lazio Highway Police Department in order to continue accident and crime prevention to sustain security on the Italian roads.

Proof of outstanding reliability
Its predecessor is proof of Lamborghini’s outstanding product quality. Since 2004, Rome’s police force has had the first-generation Gallardo in regular police service. The sports car has clocked nearly 87,000 miles of patrol duty on the motorways of central and southern Italy, as well as on emergency medical transport detail.
A second Gallardo, painted in blue and white police colors, has been in service around Bologna, Italy since 2005. Its odometer already shows more than 62,000 miles. Aside from regular servicing, neither of the super sports cars has required major repairs.
In addition to the clearly effective deterrent offered by the presence and visibility of a Lamborghini on the highway, the technological equipment on board these vehicles makes them highly effective in the control of hazardous behaviour on the roads (high speeds, driving in the emergency lane, dangerous over-taking); the automatic recognition of number plate tracking and real-time transmission of images to the control rooms.


High-tech video system with real-time retrieval
The cabin of the super sports car is fitted with the latest advancements in police technology to immediately document the evidence of any transgression. The video system is positioned in the center of the cabin with a camera fitted next to the rear view mirror and a computer and recording equipment behind the seats. As soon as police officers discover a suspicious driver, they activate the “Proof Video Data System.” With the help of GPS data, the device can calculate the location, direction of movement and speed of the Lamborghini. This combined with the distance and time before intercept, accurately determines the speed of the vehicle being pursued.
Using radio data transmission, the video system in the Gallardo Polizia transfers its images in real time to the relevant police station. There, the videos are stored and used for automatic number plate retrieval. This information can be used for immediate identification of stolen vehicles.

The “classic” array of police equipment on board too
In addition to its high tech equipment, the Gallardo is also fitted with the “classic” array of police equipment, such as a gun holster, police radio equipment and the “Paletta,” the traditional hand-held stop sign used to advise motorists and traffic offenders to pull over. Officers can then use a removable screen to show offenders their misdeeds immediately, complete with an overlay of all the associated data.

Rapid response in medical emergencies

The Lamborghini is used regularly for urgent medical transportation too. The luggage compartment in the front of the vehicle is equipped with a specialized refrigeration system for safe transportation of donor organs. For extreme emergencies, there is also a defibrillator used to restofre a normal heart rhythm to patients by delivering an electrical shock to the heart to stop massive cardiac arrhythmia or ventricular fibrillation, and thus save lives.

Officer training

The 30 police officers permitted to drive the Gallardo Polizia receive special training in the use of the Gallardo’s medical equipment. Each person on the special operations team – which includes three women – has undertaken several days of driver training with Lamborghini, under the leadership of the Lamborghini test drivers. The basis of trouble-free everyday operation is the exceptional safety of the Gallardo LP560-4 with its permanent all-wheel drive and its refined chassis, which maintains stability even at the highest speeds. Lamborghini’s extremely high standards for product quality and reliability ensure that the Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia is always ready for duty.

Even the blue light is designed for speed

Now the successor is ready – a new generation Gallardo LP560-4 with the very latest in special equipment. The Lamborghini wears its uniform with pride, painted in accordance with requirements in “blu Polizia” – whereby the white stripes and lettering follow the Gallardo’s dynamic design angles. Its main patrol beat will once again be central and southern Italy, primarily on the motorway between Salerno and Reggio Calabria.

The police beacon on the roof of the Gallardo had to be aerodynamically optimized being that the new police car reaches a considerably higher top speed than regular service vehicles.. Despite the extremely flat construction of the signal lighting, blue LEDs are fitted round the base to ensure the visual signal cannot be missed. The roof-mounted lighting is supported by further blue LED signals on the front, sides and rear of the light’s aluminium shell. A total of four sirens integrated into the front and rear of the Gallardo generate unmistakable audible warning signals.

On duty even in New York

Just like its predecessor, the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia is destined to be not only the fastest, but also the most famous police car – even beyond Italian borders.

The Italian State Police uniform, and the unquestionable attraction of the Lamborghini brand, continue to arouse curiosity and interest. Thousands of citizens have the possibility to see the car for themselves during the many events organized to promote the vehicles in use.

Alongside its daily operational duties, the Gallardo also has regular public appearance obligations, such as its role as parade leader every year in Rome’s traditional “Festa di Polizia,” or its escort responsibilities at events with historical vehicles, like the Targa Florio and the Milan – San Remo Rally. Its predecessor even represented the Italian police in New York City at the 2005 “Columbus Day” parade.

http://www.rsportscars.com/

Introducing the eRUF - 160+ mph on Pure Battery Power

Gran Turismo fans will be instantly familiar with the name RUF, the legendary Porsche tuning house which manages to produce a string of complete turnkey cars even more beautiful and exciting to drive than factory Porsche models.
Combine the electrical engineering know-how it takes to make the best driver's cars in the world even better with a full electric powertrain and you have one special green sports car.









The eRUF Concept Model A is only at the prototype stage, but unlike start-up companies that make bold promises for full electric sports cars only to string along potential buyers and the media, RUF has produced a turn-key, fully working electric Porsche with some serious performance specs.


Lithium Ion Batteries and a Powerful Electric Motor
The eRUF Concept Model A uses the newest generation of lithium ion batteries, which are still too expensive to be viable in fuel-frugal hybrids like the Toyota Prius and upcoming Honda Insight.
The advantages to lithium ion batteries, the same basic technology that powers cell phones and laptops, are greater charge density and longevity than the nickel hydride batteries used in the current generation of hybrids and electric cars.
The powerplant comes in the form of a 150 kW electric motor similar to those used in the Tesla Roadster. Electric vehicles have some performance advantages, most notably the fact that all 650 Nm of torque are available from 0--yes, zero--rpm. Imagine the tire smoking capabilities!

The eRUF is still a long way from being viable for production even in small runs, but RUF has one thing going for them: they are already in the business of charging well north of $100,000 for their Porsche-based super sports cars. Making an electric Porsche still leaves them with a huge profit margin to operate with.

http://www.rsportscars.com/

Sports Cars With Great Fuel Economy: No More Tradeoffs

In the age of cylinder deactivation, high-efficiency diesels and low boost turbocharging for fuel economy purposes, modern go-fast cars need be gas guzzlers no longer. We at RSports are constantly on the lookout for lustworthy transportation machines we can actually afford to operate. Here is a roundup of sports cars heavy on thrills and easy on the wallet at the pump.

The Chevrolet C7 Corvette - Promising Gains in Good V8 Gas Mileage
Despite their always-thrilling big displacement American performance pedigree, Corvettes have a reputation for burning rubber, silk shirts, gold chains and terrible gas mileage. The latest generation Corvette, introduced for the **2008 model year, has smashed most of these conventions. Mileage for the C7 Corvette is a more-than-respectable 26 mpg by EPA estimates in Z06 trim, numbers that were unheard of as 400+ horsepower cars go just a few years ago.
Chevrolet parent company General Motors Corp. accomplishes this mildly remarkable feat through the use of the same cylinder deactivation technology that has been used with great success for Chevy and GM trucks.
In the case of the Corvette, a Chevy small block rated at so much power does not need all eight glorious cylinders for cruising on the highway at 70 mph or coasting through bumper-to-bumper traffic. A step on the gas puts full power to the wheels instaneously, letting Chevy Corvette owners have their gas mileage and eat it too.

2009 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI - The Ultra High-Tech Approach to Turbocharging
As a maker of fine luxury sports sedans currently enjoying good sales in a downturned industry, Volkswagen/Audi has the cash flow for significant R&D toward alternative powertrains and ways to sip every ounce of precious fossil fuel during every burnout.
The new Audi A5, critically acclaimed for its breath-of-fresh-air styling and driving dynamics, is now a technology showcase for the powerful combination of twin-scroll turbocharging with valvelift technology, putting power to the flywheel in combination with direct injection.
Audi has been slowly perfecting the art of turbocharged 4-cylinder engines for many years. Modern engine management technology as well as micromanaged fuel injection systems, based wholly on how much power the driver requires at any given time, has given the A5 some truly impressive gas mileage numbers.
While running 0-60 in under 7 seconds and reaching a German automaker agreement-limited top speed of 155 mph, the turbo four A5 pulls off EU a 42.8 combined-cycle mpg rating.

2009 BMW 330d - Stellar Gas Mileage from a New Generation of Cleaner Diesels
For years, some European automakers have shunned exporting popular diesel cars to the American market, due to extremely stringent emissions regulations and consumer image.
The Germans are leading the charge toward bringing real performance cars with torquey, clean diesel engines for worldwide markets. The benefits of oil-burners are many, especially in modern times where they are much less noticable to the driver than the stink emanating from the tailpipe of the Peugeot wagon in your grandmother's driveway.
The twin-turbo 3.0 liter diesel used in the 330d, which will be known as the 335d when it comes to American markets next year, produces 286 horses and a superfluous 383 lb-ft. of torque that comes at 1750 rpm. Better still, the engine is extremely clean burning as any fossil fuel engines go, let alone diesel motors.
Performance meets or exceeds that of the twin-turbo 3.0 gas motor from BMW, so customers willing to get over their preconceived notions about diesel engines are in for a great gas mileage versus performance bargain.

http://www.rsportscars.com/

Porsche Gemballa Mirage GT

Porsche Gemballa Exotic Car

German leading Porsche tuner, Uwe Gemballa, has developed a Carrerat GT that sets the world of exotic cars on fire.

The Porsche Mirage delivers 1,000 hp and 886lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo V-10 engine which propels it from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 250 miles per hour.

The Gemballa has a modified six-speed sequential racing transmission to better channel the engine's power to the asphalt. The pair of gullwing doors add to its curb appeal ... and the price of this ultimate exotic car? $2.2 million! So start saving now.

http://www.2sportscars.com/

2008 Porsche 911 GT2

The 911 GT2 has a 50 hp upgrade over the standard 997 Turbo for a total of 530hp. This power increase is courtesy of two turbochargers with a larger compressor wheel and a flow-optimized turbine housing.

The GT2 is only available with a 6 speed manual gearbox and RWD to cater to the real car enthusiasts and provide the best performance possible. The new Porsche GT2 does 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds and top speed of 204mph.

It is scheduled to make its North American debut in early 2008 at a US price of $191,700.

http://www.2sportscars.com/

Ferrari California Sports Car

The new 2010 Ferrari California is the first hard-top convertible ever produced by Ferrari and the first to feature a mid-front positioned engine.

Ferrari California features a new 4.3 liter V8 with direct injection and a flat crankshaft that will put out 460HP. The result is a 0-60mph of under 4 seconds.



The 2010 Ferrari California is a true super sports car!

http://www.2sportscars.com/

Corvette ZR1 Sports Car

The new 2009 Corvette ZR1 is a fast and powerful sports car. It has a 6.2-liter surpercharged engine with 638hp. The acceleration of 0-60mph time of just 3.4 seconds will make it reach reach 100mph from standstill in 7 seconds flat.

The final MSRP of the new Corvette is $103,300 including the destination charge, but it will have a $1700 gas guzzler tax added on top of this.

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 is super sports car indeed.

http://www.2sportscars.com/

Audi GT3 Sports Car Race Car

The new The Audi GT3 R8 sports car is a race car that will enter into some of the great races of the world sometime next year.


Power for the Audi GT3 has been boosted to 500hp and the engineers digged deep into the technics to conform with GT3 standards. The four-wheel-drive system had to be replaced with a more conventional GT rear-wheel drive system and it is also equipped with a newly developed six-speed sports sequential gear box.

The Audi GT3 is a super sports car indeed.

http://www.2sportscars.com/

Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept - Track Ready, Coming to Showrooms?

Italian luxury sports car maker Maserati has just announced full details for the Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept, which will debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The GranTurismo MC Corse is a technology study on what future Maserati GT-class race cars may look like, though this is no rolling chassis.
With full GranTurismo MC powertrain intact, and horsepower upped to 450 bhp, the Corse Concept looks to compete with the likes of the Porsche Carrera 911 GT3 and Audi R8 GT3 as track-ready race cars, should Maserati choose to release a limited number of GranTurismo MC Corse cars to wealthy weekend track enthusiasts.
The design certainly looks the part, tightly based on the critically acclaimed Maserati GranTurismo S but featuring a number of touches that only add to the MC Corse's sporting appeal. But what is form without function?

GranTurismo MC Corse Powertrain
The MC Corse Concept uses a modified version of the excellent V8 motor used in the consumer Maserati GranTurismo S. Through ECU recalibration as well as the addition of larger intake and exhaust outlets, every ounce of performance has been squeezed out of this engine. In addition to 17 more horsepower, GranTurismo MC Corse torque has been upped to 376 lb-ft. @ 4750 rpm.
This torque figure speaks to the hard-revving nature of the Maserati GranTurismo V8. A heavy foot will be needed to drive the MC Corse to its full potential, but at least optimized aerodynamics will make sure none of the power is wasted.

Race Prepping the GranTurismo S - Weight, Aerodynamics and Safety
Because of the Italian sports car maker's focus on luxury, the hefty Maserati GranTurismo needed significant weight reduction and body modifications to be competitive at the GT racing level. Completely stripping the GranTurismo MC Corse concept's interior and liberal use of carbon fiber have allowed curb weight to drop from a rather portly 4145 pounds to a much more manageable 3086.
A carbon composite material built on a steel chassis, and Lexan plastic windows all around are responsible for the rest of the weight savings. Aero pieces on the MC Corse start with a revised front airdam and a boattail-style rear spoiler, providing extra downforce to keep the Maserati racer glued to the track.
Due to the stripper interior, which lacks airbags but does offer the driver added safety in the form of a full carbon fiber-strengthened roll cage and a 6-point safety harness, the GranTurismo MC Corse would not be road-legal even if it could pass emissions tests.
Still, with other luxury automakers planning track-only versions of their GT cars for public release, Maserati is testing the waters for bringing the GranTurismo MC Corse concept to production in the form of a turn-key race car.

http://www.rsportscars.com/

The Glorious Return of SLR | Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S

Speculation has been rampant the future of the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren. Many sports car news outlets said the SLR McLaren was dead, to make way for new halo Benz sports cars to come. They were wrong. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S is the most exciting car to come from one of the world's most exciting automakers since the SLR McLaren 722 Edition hard top car in 2007.

Specs like these are enough to take the featherweight SLR McLaren 722 Roadster 722 S from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, all the way up to a top speed of 208 mph. In the modern horsepower wars, there are many supercars with performance numbers like the McLaren 722. It is its bold and unique styling that sets the German wonder apart.

SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S Engine by AMG

Delving into the performance specs that make the 2009 SLR 722 S so unique starts with the engine. The supercharged 5.5 liter V8 is hand-built by AMG along with the engines used in the new SL 65 AMG Black Series. It was only in the recent past that AMG began building the engines for the Benz high performance division's cars in-house, by hand. The result is an out-of-this-world power output of 650 horsepower and 605 lb-ft. of torque.

Specs like these are enough to take the featherweight SLR McLaren 722 Roadster 722 S from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, all the way up to a top speed of 208 mph. In the modern horsepower wars, there are many supercars with performance numbers like the McLaren 722. It is its bold and unique styling that sets the German wonder apart.

The SLR McLaren Evolved - More Than Just a Chop Job

While Bugatti opted for a Targa-style removable roof panel for its open-air supercar, the Veyron Grand Sport, Mercedes-Benz AMG and McLaren have engineered the SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S for high speed driving with its soft top raised or lowered. The top is made from a "high tech material," says Mercedes-Benz, with a woven look that blends right in with all the carbon fiber on the new SLR.

Safety for occupants is always a pertinent issue when traveling more than 200 miles per hour with the top down. The expected on-demand roll bars are included, of course, and Mercedes-Benz/McLaren ensure that this car has sufficient passive safety features to keep its drivers... alive... in the event of a crash.

Super Limited Run Fitting of the SLR 722 Name

The first SLR McLaren 722 Edition sold out faster than Superbowl tickets, leaving Mercedes-Benz's most rich and discerning customers clamoring for more. Only 150 examples of the 2009 Roadster 722 S will be released, becoming available Jan. 1, 2009. Base price has not been announced to the public, but if you have to ask...

http://www.rsportscars.com/