Hot Cars

New Guinness World Record: 136 Ferraris In Suances (Spain)

The Cantabrian locality of Suances (Spain) celebrated VII the Concentration of Ferrari this weekend and reserved the small piece in the history of the automobiles by breaking Guinness world record for being the lucky place where 136 Ferraris have been concentrated.

There were around 20 different Ferrari models, from the classic ones to the last vehicles designed by the mark, among them “Enzo”. In this new concentration participants came from France, Portugal and Belgium, as well as from different parts of Spain, from Malaga, Cadiz, Barcelona, Castilla and Leon, Galicia… According to one comment in Forocoches.com some of the participants had everything: a Ferrari Enzo, Ferrari F40, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti or 575 Ferrari Maranello and some classics like the Ferrari 330 2+2 GT or a Ferrari Dino 246 GT Joist.

2006 Bentley Continental GTC

With a top speed in excess of 190mph (304 km/h), a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, state-of-the-art 12-cylinder engine, advanced air suspension and ultra-stiff body structure, the Continental GTC displays all the poise, exhilarating performance and dynamic handling of the Continental GT. In common with its stable mates, the interior of the new Continental GTC provides an unrivalled standard of craftsmanship, utilising natural wood veneers and leather hides of the finest quality.

The GTC looks beautiful with the soft fabric roof in place, but watching the top tuck elegantly under the leather tonneau is like seeing a supermodel drop her Versace gown to the runway floor. With its wood veneers and countless leather hides shining in the sun, the Conti convertible is the most exciting and extroverted of the bargain-Bentley lineup.

The GTC will appeal to customers who want more space and understated elegance than the Ferrari F430 Spider, the Aston-Martin DB9 Volante, or the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG can offer.

The Continental GTC will begin cruising boulevards this fall. While Bentley has not confirmed pricing, this third Continental likely will cost more than the coupe and sedan but remain well under $200,000.

The Price Is Right: ‘07 Hyundai Santa Starts At $21,595

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. - Hyundai has cut the base price on its redesigned 2007 Santa Fe, which is just beginning to reach U.S. dealers. The new model starts at $21,595, including a $650 shipping charge. The ‘06 edition was priced from $22,295.

Now built at Hyundai’s Montgomery plant in Alabama, the ‘07 Santa Fe gets a fold-flat third-row seat, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 premium audio system, among other features. Later in the model year, Hyundai will add standard XM satellite radio, optional Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and an optional navigation system.

There are three trim levels - GLS, SE and Limited - and a choice of 2.7- and 3.3-liter V6 engines. Transmissions include a five-speed manual and four- and five-speed automatics, both with manual-shift mode.

All ‘07 Santa Fes get a full standard safety package that bundles six airbags, active front head restraints, electronic stability control, traction control, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, plus a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Prices range up to $28,595 for the Santa Fe Limited with a 3.3-liter V6 and five-speed automatic.

2007 Land Rover LR2

The fourth new model from Land Rover in just four years, LR2 joins the Range Rover (2002), Land Rover LR3 (2004) and Range Rover Sport (2005). “LR2 combines the advantages of a premium sedan – such as polished ride, accomplished performance, an attractive cabin and ease-of-use – with the attributes of a robust SUV, including go-anywhere ability, toughness, stadium seating, cabin versatility and spaciousness,” says Phil Popham, Land Rover’s managing director. “We believe that no other compact SUV gets closer to blending these best-of-both-worlds abilities.”

Technical highlights of the LR2 include a brand-new 3.2-liter inline-six engine featuring advanced technologies to deliver an outstanding combination of performance and economy.

The 230bhp i6 engine provides 0-60 mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds). The engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission, with Land Rover’s CommandShift offering manual sequential gear changes when required. There is also a driver-selectable sport mode, for livelier performance.

The interior package of LR2 has generous head, shoulder and legroom, in both the front and rear. Large glass areas emphasize the spacious feel and complement the elevated ‘command driving’ position – a Land Rover hallmark – and ‘stadium seating’, where rear passengers sit slightly higher than front occupants, for a clearer view of the world outside. Cargo space is also among the best in class: 59 cu. ft. (1670 liters) with the rear seats folded and 26.5 cu. ft (755 liters) with the rear seats up.

The exterior and interior design of LR2 is completely fresh, integrating the company’s unique design language with a form that is instantly recognizable as the latest Land Rover.

The body is a five-door monocoque structure, with a high level of torsional rigidity which benefits refinement, comfort and handling on-road as well as ensuring the vehicle is fit for serious off-road use. The suspension is fully independent and uses the most modern stability control systems, including Roll Stability Control (RSC ), a sophisticated technology that helps mitigate the risk of roll-over even in extreme conditions.

LR2 is packed with new technologies to improve both on-road and off-road performance. Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response is standard, making off-road use easier. Other interesting technologies include a new intelligent permanent all-wheel-drive system for superior traction and better on-road fuel economy, and the patented Gradient Release Control, which improves driver confidence and control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.

Other features and options include: keyless starter button, bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing windshield wipers and rear park distance control. A standard two-part panoramic sunroof increases the cabin’s airiness; air-conditioning also comes standard and a full-color touch-screen DVD satellite navigation system is optional. A choice of top-level audio systems includes 12-speaker Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 Surround Sound with fiber-optic interconnects. An auxiliary audio connection (for MP3 players) is standard.

Nissan Announces Pricing On 2007 Versa Hatchback

GARDENA, California - Nissan North America said on Friday its new 2007 Versa hatchback, which slots in below the Sentra, will have a base price of $13,055, including a $605 shipping charge. The car is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 122 horsepower.

The top-of-the-line Versa SL with a continuously variable transmission has a sticker price of $16,055, including destination. Estimated EPA fuel economy with the CVT is 30 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, the company said. Nissan said it will add a sedan version of the car in early 2007.

Buyers of the Versa S have a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic, although the automatic won’t be available until later this year. The Versa S with the automatic transmission will have a sticker price of $13,855, including destination.

The Versa SL with the six-speed manual is priced at $15,055.

Options include a $600 power sunroof, $350 rear roof spoiler and $250 antilock brakes.

2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3

The flagship of the Mazda 3 range, the all-new Mazdaspeed3 will give sports-minded customers a double dose of Zoom-Zoom driving fun.

Mazdaspeed3 is the fourth model to carry the Mazdaspeed brand, following the Mazdaspeed6 and Mazdaspeed MX-5.

The car will be called Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan and, in other key regions including Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Mazda3 MPS.

Mazda looked to embody the three distinct attributes with the new vehicle: Driving Fun, Ownership Delight and Everyday User-Friendly Convenience. With its compact, lightweight body and substantial power generated by its 2.3L MZR DISI TURBO petrol engine, Mazdaspeed3 is one of the most powerful high-performance sports compacts with front-wheel drive (FWD) on the road today.

The car’s styling pursues a look of strength and solidity in a design that conveys its unmatched dynamic performance at a glance. Mazdaspeed3 reflects Mazda’s intention to continue delivering Zoom-Zoom in all its products.