Section: Super Cars
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 14th, 2008 3:00 PM
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Looks like the many rumors of Audi preparing a V-10 version of its phenomenal R8 super car are turning out to be very true. One of the Jalopnik deep-cover agents has uncovered these convincing photos, which show, along with slight revisions elsewhere, a two extra cylinders packed into the engine bay. If earlier reports are correct that V-10 should displace 5.2-liters and produce something like 520 horsepower.
The Jalops tell us that the car is a preproduction version handed out by Audi to a select group of current R8 owners.
+ Jalopnik: Audi R8 To Get 5.2-Liter V10 Engine, Here’s The Proof
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 14th, 2008 9:30 AM
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Despite the fact that they are undoubtedly a total flight of automotive fancy, we found these renderings of a mid-engined Aston Martin to be strangely compelling. Rumors of Aston building a mid-powered car have been floating around the interwebs since probably the ARPAnet days so you’ll excuse us for being a bit jaded about such a vehicle appearing any time soon. But if the car were to happen, we thing that Aston Martin could do far worse than to contact this Sabaman fellow, who worked up these renderings, as they seem rather appropriate for an Aston of this import. Have a look below and then share your thoughts, in comments.
+ AutoGeSpot: The Aston Martin AM V10, drawn with heart and soul
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 2nd, 2008 4:40 PM
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Whether or not you can get behind Spyker’s over-the-top styling of its C8 sports car, most would have to concede that the car is destined to be obsessed over for years to come.
Shown here in an especially “can’t ignore me” shade of yellow pearl, the Dutch super car is begging to be looked at. In addition to the radical exterior, Spyker has really put together a cabin that can only be matched by high-end customizers, and a handful of late model TVRs. The quilted seats with yellow stitching, dazzlingly bright dash, and polished six-speed gear lever are functional art. We’re not positive that we’d be willing to plunk down our $150,000-plus for the quirky beast, but we’d certainly accept a longish test drive.
+ eBay Motors: 2006 Other
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 29th, 2008 8:00 AM
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As if we needed further evidence that Jay Leno is among the luckiest car guys in the world, along comes a video showing the chinned-one spending a little time with the Nissan GT-R. In addition to being sheer drool material; the video does a good job covering some of the finer points of Godzilla. Enjoy.
+ Jay Leno’s Garage (via Autoblog)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 24th, 2008 4:00 PM
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Saleen’s S7 super car is a special piece of machinery in any trim but for those buyers looking for the ultimate in performance this S7R racecar is where it’s at.
This particular car, chassis number 00067, raced under the colors of Team Oreca and driven by the trio of Belloc, Groppi and Probst to a laudable fifth in class finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car also saw time in the 2007 FFSA French GT Series, where it achieved three first place finishes, seven total podiums, and twelve top five placements.
Despite the car’s long racing history it’s being presented for sale on eBay motors in nearly unblemished condition. Unsurprisingly, the price reflects that condition, as well as the history, with a starting bid of a cool million dollars and a “buy it now” price of $1.5 million.
+ eBay Motors: 2006 Other Makes Other Saleen S7R
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 22nd, 2008 1:00 PM
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In the April 9 issue of its print magazine, Autocar reports that there’s a spot of trouble brewing for future owners of the sexy Aston Martin DBS.
Customers who’ve put orders in for the Bond car are going to have to wait about three months longer than Aston had originally intended, to take delivery of the super coupe. Shortages of some of the car’s one-off parts are the source of the hold- up, causing otherwise complete cars to remain unfinished.
Sources within Aston Martin say that the automaker is willing to make people wait, if it means getting the car right. The company isn’t willing to risk its reputation by using available parts that are slightly sub-standard. Bravo.
+ Autocar
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 9th, 2008 10:00 AM
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The prototype example of Nissan’s new GT-R Spec V has been dazzling observers of its Nurburgring testing of late, reportedly turning in lap times of an almost unbelievable 7:25. If correct, those numbers would make the V Spec substantially faster than the ultra hardcore Pagani Zonda F Clubsport, which set a production car record last October with a lap time of just under 7:28.
The amazingly quick lap times become a bit more believable when you consider that even the standard GT-R was able to reel off lap times in the 7:38 range. The Spec V is said to be making extensive use of weight-saving materials like carbon fiber, dropping its curb weight by a reported 330 pounds or more. Couple that savings with the addition of 70 more horsepower or so and…wham! A new King of the Ring could be arriving shortly.
+ Autoblog: Nissan GT-R V-Spec lap times stun observers
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 8th, 2008 2:00 PM
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Audi has already started on plans for higher performance versions of its R8 and TT sports cars, but the German carmaker is now hinting that stripped down “sport” models are also possibilities.
At a recent press event Audi’s chief of quattro development, Stefan Reil, made mention of the fact that lightweight versions of both the TT and the R8 were under consideration. Referring to lightened iterations of the coupes Reil said, “This is the direction you can go and make business. It makes sense for the TT, and maybe in the future in an R8.”
This wouldn’t be the first time that Audi went down this road with a sports car; the company built a limited edition TT quattro Sport (pictured above) in 2005 to mark the end of the first generation car. Audi also has plans already for high-po RS versions of the TT and the R8, with the R8 RS likely to get a 580 horsepower twin-turbo V-10.
(Check out another fine Audi, the R8 TDI Le Mans concept, below.)
+ Motor Authority: Audi exec hints at lightweight R8 and TT ‘Sport’ models
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 1st, 2008 1:00 PM
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Arguably Japan’s strangest super car, the Mitsuoka Orochi, seems ready to spread its snake-like weirdness to the wide world. The reported left-hand-drive version of the car is said to be nearing completion, and company officials are short-listing a number of markets to receive the NSX-based car.
Qatar will be one of the first non-Japanese locals to see an Orochi on the roads. It was apparently an auto enthusiast from that country who first approached Mitsuoka about a possible LHD version. Not surprisingly two other wealthy country from the Middle East, The United Arab Emirates and Jordan, are also targets for Orochi sales, as well as Thailand. It seems the U.S. is out of the running for this one, pity.
Inflamed American Orochi enthusiasts are encouraged to sooth their wounds with our Mitsuoka gallery below.
+ Motor Authority: Mitsuoka planning to export LHD Orochi supercar
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 31st, 2008 6:00 PM
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When Gerald Wiegert first conceived of his all-American super car the Vector, he hoped to bring together the genius of the aerospace industry with the glam of exotic sports cars. After failing to succeed with models from the W2 to the W8, Vector’s last real grasp at production success was this wild M12 coupe.
In the mid-1990s Vector teamed with Lamborghini to produce the M12, which was based in part on Vector’s earlier WX-3, but with power from the Diablo’s V-12 engine. Vector brought two examples of the M12 to the 1996 Detroit Auto Show, but by 1999 less than twenty examples of the M12 had been produced.
That kind of rarity means that we don’t often see Vectors listed for sale on eBay Motors, and get a little bit excited when one appears. This 1999 M12 seems to be in first-rate condition and has only covered about 3,500 miles from new. The scarcity and exotic pedigree of the Vector may warrant the opening price of $100,000, but we don’t doubt that it will take a special collector, with deep pockets, to pull the trigger on this one. A much better value proposition is a trip through our M12 gallery below.
+ eBay Motors: 1999 Other Makes Other Vector M12
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 27th, 2008 4:00 PM
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British boutique builders Caparo are responsible for the bonkers T1 track special, but they also played a hand in the remarkably cheap (and slow) Tata Nano microcar. That diversity of vision should serve the company well, as it has espoused plans to develop a set of new and diverse vehicles.
Caparo would like to begin with a slightly more useable version of the T1, though exactly how useable remains to be seen. Company head Angad Paul is said to be keeping his lips sealed on the project for now.
The second, and perhaps even more exciting idea, has the company building a small city car that makes use of advance materials and packaging to save on weight. Caparo is supposedly targeting Smart’s ForTwo and similarly sized vehicles, but would like to show an increase in efficiency through reduced mass. To that end, Paul points out that “The carbon fiber route is not just for expensive cars.” Interesting stuff.
+ Autoblog: Caparo building two new cars beyond the T1
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 27th, 2008 1:00 PM
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Light weight, buttoned-up, and faster than hell, the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is now on its way to being a very tasty footnote in the history of the storied automaker. Lamborghini has finished production on the stripped down super car, recently sending the very last batch of Superleggeras to dealers.
Just 172 examples of the Gallardo specials were made, with the bulk ordered in orange (46 examples) or yellow (45). Ten special customers took delivery of white Superleggeras, ensuring days of detail cleaning after manly jobs like driving the albino bulls through the hills after a rain. Time well spent.
Bid farewell to the Gallardo Superleggera with a browse through the gallery below.
+ Autoblog: Lamborghini ceases production of Gallardo Superleggera
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