As we prepare to head to the west coast for the 2011 LA Auto Show, the Dubai International Auto Show is currently in full force. Bugatti is at the show showing three new special edition models of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, the fastest most powerful and exclusive (everything Dubai citizens love) drop-top in the world.

“It is Bugatti’s intention to honour the very important Middle East market with this threefold variety and to provide its highly exclusive clientele in the Middle East an insight into how creativity and inspiration can be successfully driven to individualised luxury,” Bugatti said in a statement.

The first of the three special-edition Grand Sport models is a  horizontal color split with a bright yellow body and a underside in visible black carbon, including black-tinted wheels. The car features Bugatti founder Ettore Bugatti’s favorite color. The inside is finished in yellow-colored leather with black stitching and black carbon on the center console. Prices for this model start at 1.58 million euros ($2.15 million USD).

The second model is also a two-tone horizontal color split consisting of visible blue carbon, framed in polished, anodised aluminium. The wheels come in an aluminium polished and Diamond Cut two-tone finish. This Veyron Grand Sport also gets mirror-shine aluminum finish grills and air intakes. The inside features a nice tangerine leather and dark blue Indigo leather or exposed blue carbon fiber door panels, dashboard, steering wheel and console. Prices start at 1.74 million euros ($2.36 million USD).

Last but not least, the third Grand Sport model comes in a new green carbon fiber tone with polished aluminum. The rims, exterior mirrors and even the EB-logo at the rear are finished in polished aluminium. On the inside, this version features green and silver finishes. Prices also start at 1.74 million euros ($2.36 million USD).

Bugatti plans in making a total of 150 units of the Veyron Grand Sport. So far, only 45 have been sold.

Source: egmCarTech

At the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Morgan came to the exclusive gathering with a concept called EvaGT – a model that is known for its perfect blend between traditional and modern. Charles Morgan, managing director of Morgan Motor Company, said that the company is also working on two new carsthat it will put into production within the next three years.

He said that one of the two models will be called the LIFECar 2, while saying that the other will be a “fun weekend vehicle.”

Charles said that the LIFEcar 2 is an electric-diesel hybrid sports car that will have a range of more than 1,000 miles. About the second car, chief designer Matt Humphries said that the company is working on something that will be “more extreme, with real entertainment value.”

As for the EvaGT, Humphries said that the production car will look almost the same as the concept. “We’ve got a reputation for translating show cars into road cars almost unchanged,” said Humphries. “That’s our plan for the Eva GT. It needs a high-level brake light at the rear, but that’s about all.”

Source: egmCarTech

Abarth’s sports car line-up is growing! On top of the planned speedster and roadster version of the 500 exclusively revealed by Auto Express back in June (Issue 1,120), the Fiat-owned tuner has now confirmed it will build a Lotus Exige rival based on the radical KTM X-Bow.

In a move that will delight fans of fast and focused Italian cars everywhere, senior sources within the company told us that the resulting model would be a
limited-edition, mid-engined two-seater due in 2013.

They’ve revealed that Abarth is buying a rolling chassis from the renowned Austrian motorbike maker, which ventured into the four-wheeler market for the first time two years ago. However, where the X-Bow had an Audi-sourced TFSI powerplant fitted behind the driver, Abarth will install a new 1.8-litre version of Fiat’s award-winning MultiAir turbocharged petrol engine, which will produce more than 200bhp.

A unique bodyshell and interior will then be constructed around the X-Bow’s carbon fibre monocoque platform, swapping KTM’s chopped-up track car exterior for a more stylish appearance that references Abarth’s links with Fiat.

As our illustration shows, the front end is likely to feature a bold grille and prominent badge in between oval lamps, similar to those on the 500. And even though the reskin will probably add more kilos to the X-Bow’s 790kg weight, it will make the car a much more practical proposition for owners.

The likelihood is either a one-off production run of up to 2,000, or a limited-edition model with sales spread over two or three years. Prices are expected to range from around £42,000 to £50,000, giving the manufacturer a top-of-the-range model to sit above the more affordable hot hatches.

Our insiders also confirmed Abarth had been in discussion with UK firm Lotus about using the Elise chassis and running gear for the car. But because it was relatively old technology – it dates back to the mid-Nineties – and comparatively expensive, bosses looked elsewhere. In addition, Abarth is planning to offer tuning services to other Fiat Group brands, although our source told us that this division could be under a new name.

“Having Abarth and Cloverleaf makes no sense, but Alfa could resurrect the Autodelta badge,” he explained, referring to Alfa’s competition arm from 1961.

Charles Morgan said that his company will launch a new 2+2 concept at the Pebble Beach Concours show in the United States in August.

Morgan said that the concept will preview an all-new Morgan model that is scheduled to go into production in 2012-2013.

The 2+2 model will be positioned halfway between Morgan’s traditional models and will be priced from £40,000 ($60,078 USD).

Source: EgmCarTech

Alpine Electroncs deepens its marine offerings for 2010 with the addition of their first waterproof marine head unit.Boat owners can now add upgrade their boat with this new waterproof head unit from Alpine.  Fitting into a standard radio opening, the unit has large, easy to use source buttons and rotary control knob.  This unit has been laboratory-certified for waterproofing, dust intrustion, salt/fog intrusion and UV stability.

As expected, you can dial up your favorite radio stations, but also use your iPhone or iPod, and also hook up to optional Sirius or XM Radio satellite radio tuners. Alpine’s AiNet port means that DVD/CD Changers or other Alpine accessories can be added.

Using Alpine’s optional remote commanders, the unit can be controlled from anywhere in the boat.

Good stuff for this year’s boating season!

As the 2011 Honda CR-Z gets prepares its assault on your heart and pocketbook, it is showing its face in more and more places.

This time, the 126-combined-horsepower hybrid eco-runner has been spotted in a video, from which a number of stills have been taken. While there aren’t any additional specs to come with it, you can at least see what you’ll look like driving down the road while you get somewhere above 50 miles per gallon. We note that while we still look forward to its tidy packaging and (hopefully) nimble dynamics, the front-end looks rather unfortunate with a U.S.-sized number plate.

The car is expected to bow for the first time in Japan sometime next month, but we hear it could show up earlier at the Detroit Auto Show. In the meantime, find all the images below in the gallery.

Source Autoblog

The more we see of Renault’s all-electric line-up that is on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the more we want to hang out at company cocktail parties. Something delicious and potent must be on tap there.

From the elegant and unexpected lines of the Zoe (above, note the recycle logo) to the buggy quirkiness of the Twizy, Renault is displaying some truly fun-looking electric cars here. Now if only these things were available to drive off the lot today, we’d really be getting somewhere. As we said yesterday when we got Renault’s official pics, these cars demand a second look in high-res. Have at it in the gallery below. While you do, we’ll hunt down more information on Renault’s Quickdrop battery exchange station and what role Better Place has with the technology.

Source Autoblog

Wiesmann’s made an all-out drop-top assault in 2009, beginning with the 367-hp V8-powered MF4 Roadster unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. As reported earlier, the retrotastic automaker hailing from Dulmen, Germany is bringing another open-aired creation to the Frankfurt Motor Show, and it’s finally released a teaser shot to whet our appetites ahead of the big day.

Powered by the BMW M5/M6-derived V10, Weismann says the 507-hp MF5 Roadster hits the magic 60 MPH mark in 3.9 seconds – the same as its fixed roof sibling – and can blast to a top speed of 192 mph.

Aside from the cloth roof, the body remains unchanged and all the standard equipment carries over to the Roadster, including the dual airbags, ABS and stability control. Pricing is expected to crest the $250,000 mark, but with Weismann only planning to produce 55 examples, we have little doubt they’ll find their way into enthusiastic collector’s garages. Make the jump for the official release.

Source Autoblog

The big dogs in this case being a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and a pair of Ferrari F430s. And in case you’re wondering, a Spirra is a Korean supercar built by Oullim Motors and sold through Proto Motors since 2007. Looking like a not half bad mashup of a late model Toyota MR2 and an Acura NSX, what counts of course is what’s under the hood. The original Spirra (by Proto) had a mid-mounted 320 hp 4.6-liter Ford Modular V8 — essentially a Mustang Cobra motor. However, once Oullim took over, the American muscle was dropped in favor of a force inducted Hyundai V6. Specifically the 2.7-liter Delta unit out of the Tiburon.

When hooked to a supercharger, the Spirra S makes 400 hp. Not bad at all. However, when a turbocharger gets involved the Spirra Turbo generates a whopping and impressive 500 hp. Looks like there is a replacement for displacement, no? A supercar needs this sort of thrust, especially when it’s going to tangle with the aforementioned big dogs of the Italian persuasion. And here’s the kicker — the Spirra only weighs about 2,200 pounds. That’s one fat guy more than a Lotus Elise. Meaning its power-to-weight ratio is on the deviant side of totally insane.

Top speed is well over 200 mph, especially with something called “Mission Tuning Offset” installed. We’re not really sure what that is. Nor are we sure when watching the video if we’re looking at the super’d or turbocharged car, though we’ll err on the side of turbo. And with a price tag (about $130,000) that’s about half that of the big dogs it’s running with, we think we’d like to get our hands on a Spirra. Like, yesterday.

Source Autoblog

According to German magazine Sport-Auto, the Gumpert Apollo Speed has set a new record for a road-legal production car at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, bringing in a lap time of 7:11.57.

The time was recorded on August 13th while the Gumpert Apollo Speed was piloted by 26 year-old driver Florian Gruber. Power for the Apollo Speed comes from an Audi 4.2L bi-turbo V8 pumping out 700-hp (capable of 800-hp). It allows the supercar to go from 0 to 62 mph in 3 seconds with a top speed of 223 mph.

Apparently the group has overlooked the achievement of the Radical SR8, which was clocked in at 6:55.

Either way, road tests for the Apollo Speed are scheduled to begin in mid-September. Stay tuned for more from Gumpert.

Source Egmcartech

Here it is, after all the wait, Noble has finally take off the wraps on its new M600 supercar. Power for the new Noble M600 comes from a mid-mounted Volvo 4.4L V8 that the Swedish automaker uses in the S80 and XC90. However, Noble has added two turbochargers allowing for up to 650-hp.

The cockpit actually has a twist-dial that allows you to select from three different horsepower settings – 450, 550 and 650 – depending on how fast you want to get to your destination.

Power is driven to the rear-wheels via a 6-speed Graziano manual gearbox. 0 t0 62 mph comes in just 3.0 seconds with a top speed of more than 225 mph.

The new Noble will hit dealerships across Europe in November 2009. Production will be limited to 50 units annually. There are no current plans to export the M600.

Source Egmcartech

Wiesmann announced today that it will unveil the Roadster MF5 next month at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The hand-crafter sports car will be powered by the BMW M5/M6’s V10 engine making 507-hp with a peak torque of 384 lb-ft. 0 to 62 mph will come in just 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 192 mph.

Production of the Wiesmann Roadster MF5 will be limited to just 55 units, each selling for 189,500 euros ($269,712 USD).

Note: Pictured above is the Wiesmann Roadster MF4 - Wiesmann will release photos of the MF5 Roadster next month.

Press Release

IAA world premiere: the Wiesmann Roadster MF5
Sports car manufacturer showcases a limited production model

Wiesmann, the luxury sports car maker, will be presenting an absolutely stunning example of its hand-crafted sports car range – the Wiesmann Roadster MF5 – to visitors at the 63rd International Motor Show in Frankfurt.

The Wiesmann Roadster MF5 takes even experienced sports car enthusiasts into a brand new dimension of driving enjoyment, delivering a top speed of 310 km/h and completing the sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. This exclusive open-air experience will only be available to a select few because the spirited power package is only being produced in a limited edition of 55. Equipped with a V10 engine, 507 HP and 520 Nm torque, it’s a car that appeals to all the senses. It also literally hugs the road as a result of perfect weight distribution.

Not only does the Wiesmann MF5 have a lot to boast about under the bonnet, it also has an impressive exterior: the low body, the typical retro-style Wiesmann design and the wide tyres communicate exclusive driving enjoyment at first glance – a promise that is also made by the car’s purist interior fittings. No superfluous driving actions are necessary and everything that the driver needs to operate the vehicle is within perfect reach.

It goes without saying that the essential combination of sportiness and safety are also consistently implemented in the new roadster. For example, the rear wing plus perfectly balanced suspension set-up guarantees the necessary stability, even at top speeds. The roadster version of the MF5 also has an extandable wing for perfect handling on the race track and on the road. The torsion-resistant aluminium monocoque with integrated side-impact protection, dual stage driver and passenger airbags, ABS, DSC and many other safety features ensure that the driver still feels safe, even when his endorphin levels are sky high.

The basic price of the Wiesmann Roadster MF5 is EUR 189,500.

Wiesmann is exhibiting at Booth B18 in Hall 5.

Source Egmcartech

You might think it would be hard to miss a car like the Tramontana R, but we almost did just that amidst the hustle and bustle of the events in Monterey this week. Only the unique front end and cockpit-like roof helped us spot the car from distance, and we immediately stopped what we were doing to go check out the car where it was on display near the Pebble Beach lodge.

In person, the Tramonta R is simply stunning. The exterior is pure functionality with wings, splitters, spoilers, intakes and diffusers all used to direct air flow where needed. All of the body panels are constructed from carbon fiber, as is the monocoque cockpit that houses dual inline seats. The performance specs are those befitting such an outrageous supercar: a twin-turbo V12 pushing out 720 horsepower, 6-speed sequential transmission, 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph.

With production of the Tramonta R limited to just twelve units per year, we made sure to get a good look because it very well might be our last. A high-res gallery of this unique exotic can be found below.