TopSpeed Daily Update |  |
- Aston Martin Rapide S
- BMW bringing four models to Frankfurt
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato "Coda Tronca"
- Aston Martin V12 Zagato Racer
- Chevrolet Corvette C5 by Wittera
- No hybrid technologies for the next Porsche 911
- Alfa Romeo 4C might get Abarth and Maserati variants
- Lexus LX570 Black Bison Edition by Wald
- Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche Boxster
- Mercedes E-Class Coupe (C207) by Prior Design
| Posted: 27 May 2011 09:00 AM PDT
 The spy photographers are out again and they’ve caught a special Aston Martin Rapide testing at the Nurburgring. Initial rumors on this vehicle suggested it was a facelift version of the luxury sedan, but it seems the news is even better. The company is preparing an even more powerful version of the Rapide that will drop the current 470 HP 6.0 Liter V12 in favor of the engine used in the DBS. This means we will get 40 HP more with the new S version. With the new 510 HP, the Rapide S will sprint faster than the current model which does the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 5.1 seconds. Next to the engine improvement, the Rapide S will feature an even more aggressive front and rear fascia, a lower front bumper with an additional air intake and deep scoops, a more prominent boot lip spoiler and a reprofiled bumper. The new Aston Martin Rapide S will go on sale in late 2012 and will be priced at about £200,000 or about $325,000 at the current exchange rates. Aston Martin Rapide S originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 May 2011 16:00 EST.
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| BMW bringing four models to Frankfurt Posted: 27 May 2011 08:00 AM PDT
BMW is rather busy preparing their lineup for the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. Apparently, they are showing up with no less than four world premiers: the M5, the M3 GTS sedan, the redesigned 1-Series, and the i3. So, if you plan on taking a trip to Germany during that period, you should definitely make a stop in Fankfurt to soak up all of the automotive goodness scheduled to appear. While the first three models in the line-up are no surprise, the i3 will definitely steal the show. Unfortunately, it will not be a production version, but it will give us a good idea for what to expect in 2013. According to BMW, the i3 will be the world's first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. It will feature an electric motor with an output of about 150 HP and a top speed of 100 mph. It is rumored that the i3 will have an autonomy of 160 miles. BMW bringing four models to Frankfurt originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 May 2011 15:00 EST.
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| Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato "Coda Tronca" Posted: 27 May 2011 07:00 AM PDT
Alfa Romeo was returning to motor sports when it built the 1962 Giulietta Sprint Zagato. Zagato was a prominent designer and past collaboration with Alfa Romeo had proven fruitful in the Le Mans and Formula 1 circuits. In 1957, Alfa had formed a relationship with Bertone, another famous shop, to develop the Giulietta Sprint Speciale which was a high performance version. That car would become the basis for the new venture with Zagato. The companies decided to concern themselves with form over function while developing the new GT racer. The plan was to offer the car to customers for their own GT teams and thus it needed to be a strong and reliable performer on the track. Zagato was a master and developing aerodynamically efficient and lightweight machines and the Giulietta Sprint Speciale chassis provided the perfect jumping off point. Perhaps the reason these cars remain so special today is their overall beauty. The design was focused around performance, but in turn the body became very well recognized and an instant classic for Alfa. Combining the low roofline with the elongated and round body made the car desirable to collectors. The rarity of the "Coda Tronca" version lends to the high selling price at the recent auction that saw chassis 0184 sell for $420,800. Hit the jump for more details on the 1962 Alfa Romeo Coda Tronca Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato "Coda Tronca" originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 May 2011 14:00 EST.
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| Posted: 25 May 2011 09:00 AM PDT
We haven’t even gotten around to digesting the full breadth of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato and we’re already getting a close look at the race-spec version of the new Aston supercar. Or at least something like it. In preparation for the car’s racing debut at the Nurburgring later this week, Aston Martin gave the eager public a first-hand look at the race-spec version of the V12 Zagato. It might only be a rendering of the car, but at the very least, it gives us an idea on what to expect when the car officially makes its track debut on May 28, 2011 at the 53rd ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN race. Judging from the rendering, the race-spec V12 Zagato looks pretty much like the street-version with a couple of notable additions, including the prominent rear wing, the table-top front lip, and the black wheels. That’s as much as Aston is willing to share for now. But at least the wait won’t be that long before we see the race-spec version in the flesh. Good timing too, considering that the 24 Hours of Nurburgring is scheduled for June 25 and 26, 2011 and Aston Martin will be fielding two V12 Zagatos in the annual endurance race. Aston Martin V12 Zagato Racer originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 25 May 2011 16:00 EST.
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| Chevrolet Corvette C5 by Wittera Posted: 27 May 2011 04:00 AM PDT
We love the Chevrolet Corvette C5 so fiercely that it’s going to take a real good aftermarket tuning program to make us think that it’s going to work on the American sports car. Believe us when we say that the Corvette is one of the few sports cars that looks inherently good by itself and tuning companies often are left with two options for their programs: hit or miss. German aftermarket specialist, Wittera, came up with a new widebody aero package, to go with some minor performance tweaks, for their new program for the Corvette C5. After looking at the evidence and the numbers involved, we like the smell of what these guys are cooking. For starters, the widebody kit is being offered with a choice of either carbon fiber or a high-grade glass fiber-reinforced plastic with the latter being subjected to what Wittera calls ’tempering.’ This process means that the parts are heated at 149° F (65° C) before being cooled into a mold for 25 minutes, thereby making the parts sturdier to avoid the potential for cracks. In addition to the two kit choices, the program also offers fenders on the front and rear end, door and rocker panels, a rear apron, and a front bumper that comes in two options: a deeper set that makes for a more aggressive widebody profile and a flat version that is used for Corvettes that have lowered suspensions. On top of that, Wittera is also offering customers a plethora of wheel choices that include 20 different sets (19" and 20") that customers can choose from. All told, the whole set-up does justice to the Corvette by enhancing all of its features while also not going too overboard with the details. It’s a program that works excellent for the American sports car and is something that the folks over at Wittera should be very proud of. Chevrolet Corvette C5 by Wittera originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 May 2011 11:00 EST.
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| No hybrid technologies for the next Porsche 911 Posted: 27 May 2011 03:00 AM PDT
A few days ago, there were some rumors suggesting that the next generation Porsche 911 would be offered with a Kinetic Energy Recovery System, but in a recent interview with AutoCar, Panamera Hybrid development chief, Michael Steiner, said that the company has no plans in using any kind of hybrid technologies for the sports car: "That's nonsense. The system is currently applied to a race car. Nothing else is planned. The new 911 will not be offered with hybrid drive for the foreseeable future. If and when it is, then it will most likely happen as a plug-in." So, instead of using a KERS system, Porsche will be focusing on finding the best solution for combining lightweight steels, aluminum, and magnesium. The magnesium has significant production advantages over the carbon fiber, but it requires protection from corrosion. He also said that Porsche will try to combine PDK dual-clutch transmissions with electric motors to encourage the driver to rev more, even though this may be slightly less efficient. No hybrid technologies for the next Porsche 911 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 May 2011 10:00 EST.
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| Alfa Romeo 4C might get Abarth and Maserati variants Posted: 27 May 2011 02:00 AM PDT
While everyone is waiting for the Alfa Romeo 4C GTA to debut in production form and find its way over to the US, other variations may currently be in the pipeline as well. New reports suggest that the 4C concept will not only preview a two-seater model for Abarth and Alfa, but will also come in some other derivatives, including a Maserati model. The 4C GTA concept is powered by a "4 cylinder" 1750 Turbo Petrol engine located centrally in the rear of the vehicle and mated to a new automatic "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission. With a total output of 200 HP, the engine will sprint the concept from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds, while top speed goes up to 155 mph. However, we anticipate that the Maserati variant will be both more powerful and sportier, but we’ll have to wait until about 2013 or 2014 to see it in action. Alfa Romeo 4C might get Abarth and Maserati variants originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 May 2011 09:00 EST.
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| Lexus LX570 Black Bison Edition by Wald Posted: 26 May 2011 03:00 PM PDT
Tuning an SUV is something often left to companies that make them more off-road capable. Some luxury SUV platforms, like those from Land Rover, receive the ultra-luxury treatment, but have you ever seen a Lexus SUV makeover from a renowned tuner? Wald International has been building body kits and upgrading all sorts of luxury automakers offerings for years and has now set their sights on the LX570. This big Lexus is the brother of Toyota’s legendary LandCruiser model, but receives a more elegant exterior and interior. This model is meant to compete in the big leagues with the Range Rover and Mercedes G550, but often falls to the bottom of anyone’s wish list. Sure it’s not as flashy as the other offerings, but the luxury quotient is certainly there. It is also extremely versatile in any road condition just like the G550. In order to make this car more appealing to the style conscious, Wald has given the LX570 its Black Bison makeover. Details on the Lexus LX570 Black Bison Edition after the jump. Lexus LX570 Black Bison Edition by Wald originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 26 May 2011 22:00 EST.
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| Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche Boxster Posted: 26 May 2011 01:00 PM PDT
Spy photographers just won’t quit and we thank them every day for their insistence in squeezing in just about anywhere to capture images that auto makers just aren’t ready to part with. Their latest conquest is an onslaught of images of the next Porsche Boxster which don’t show a vastly different model from the Boxster currently cruising down our roads. The biggest change for the exterior look of the Boxster actually stems from underneath the panels. The 2012 model will be built on a longer platform borrowed from the next generation 911/991. The use of this longer base will make room in the lineup for the future baby Boxster. Other than that, the Boxster will carry over some of the same features as before, including the same front and rear fascia, center-mounted exhaust pipes, and restyled side mirrors. Some styling cues from the Panamera may also show up. Under the hood, Porsche is rumored to be working with a slightly revised version of the 310-HP 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine, although some rumors suggest they may also use an advanced four-cylinder engine producing about as much horsepower as the current 2.9-liter six. Whatever engine they choose, the setup will be made complete with a short-throw six-speed manual or Porsche's seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission. Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche Boxster originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 26 May 2011 20:00 EST.
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| Mercedes E-Class Coupe (C207) by Prior Design Posted: 26 May 2011 11:00 AM PDT
German tuning company, Prior Design, has gone to great lengths with their program for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. For their latest work, the German aftermarket company has produced a complete package of upgrades for the E-Class Coupe, one that improves the luxury sports car’s overall profile, as well as its performance capabilities. Among the aerodynamic goodies given to the E-Class Coupe by Prior Design include new bumpers on both ends of the car, revised side skirts, a new rear diffuser, a lowered suspension by about 35 mm, and a set of 20" wheels available in such colors as matte black, gloss black, gold, or silver. As an added option, Prior Design is also offering a roof spoiler for the car. As far as the performance upgrades, both the E350 Coupe and the E550 Coupe were given ECU remaps, as well as new sport exhaust systems. These changes improved the car’s numbers by 74 horsepower, jumping the E350’s 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine from 268 horsepower to 343 horsepower and the E550’s 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine from 382 horsepower to 457 horsepower. Prior Design’s whole gamut of improvements on the E-Class Coupe fits to exactly what we want to see from a tuning company: not too audacious, but enough to give it a fresh and more powerful look. Mercedes E-Class Coupe (C207) by Prior Design originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 26 May 2011 18:00 EST.
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